Automatic hair washing machine

ABSTRACT

An automatic hair washing machine including a sink in which a head portion of a user is laid, the sink having an enclosed space that is formed when the head portion is laid in the sink, a nozzle link unit for jetting liquid containing at least one of washing water and cleaning agent liquid, and a mist spraying unit for spraying mist into the enclosed space.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to JapanesePatent Application No. 2010-083680 filed on Mar. 31, 2010, 2010-083678filed on Mar. 31, 2010, 2010-083679 filed on Mar. 31, 2010 and JapanesePatent Application No. 2010-165777 filed on Jul. 23, 2010. The contentof the applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an automatic hair washing machine forautomatically washing a head portion laid (or put) in a sink.

2. Description of Related Art

An automatic hair washing machine for automatically washing a headportion of a user (customer or hair-washing target) is known (forexample, see JP-A-7-236511). According to this automatic hair washingmachine, a nozzle link for jetting washing (cleaning) water to the headportion of the user is mounted at the inside of a sink in which the headportion of the user is put, and the washing water is jetted from thenozzle link to the head portion (containing hair) of the user toautomatically wash (clean) the hair of the user.

Recently, it has been adopted to spray mist to the head portion of auser so that a treatment effect or a relaxation effect is achieved. Inview of the foregoing situation, the automatic hair washing machine forautomatically washing the head portion of a user (hair-washing target)as described above has been required to effectively spray mist by takingadvantage of the characteristic that the head portion can beautomatically washed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been implemented in view of the foregoingsituation, and has an object to provide a automatic hair washing machinethat can effectively spray mist by taking advantage of thecharacteristic that the head portion of a user (hair-washing target) canbe automatically washed (cleaned).

In order to attain the above object, there is provided an automatic hairwashing machine comprising: a sink in which a head portion of a user islaid, the sink having an enclosed space that is formed when the headportion is laid in the sink; a nozzle link unit for jetting liquidcontaining at least one of washing water and cleaning agent liquid; anda mist spraying unit for spraying mist into the enclosed space.

In the above automatic hair washing machine, the mist spraying unit hasa mist generator for generating mist, a mist feeding pipe forintroducing the mist generated in the mist generator into the sink, amist discharge port that is provided in the sink to spray out the mistfed through the mist feeding pipe into the sink, and a water dischargingtrap provided to the mist feeding pipe.

In the above automatic hair washing machine, the mist discharge port isconfigured so that a spray direction of the mist is changeable.

In the above automatic hair washing machine, drain water occurring inconnection with the generation of the mist in the mist generator istrapped in the water discharging trap.

The above automatic hair washing machine further comprises a jettingunit for jetting the liquid from the nozzle link unit to the headportion laid in the enclosed space, and a controller for controlling themist spraying unit and the jetting unit, wherein the controller controlsthe jetting unit and the mist spraying unit so that the jetting of theliquid by the jetting unit and the spray of the mist by the mistspraying unit are executed interlockingly with each other.

The automatic hair washing machine further comprises a cleaningoperation course indicating unit for indicating one of cleaningoperation courses each comprising a plurality of steps that contain atleast a washing step based on jetting of liquid executed by the jettingunit and a mist step based on spray of mist executed by the mistspraying unit, and are arranged in a predetermined step order, whereinwhen any one of the cleaning operation courses is indicated through theindicating unit, the controller controls the jetting unit and the mistjetting unit so that the jetting of the liquid by the jetting unit andthe spray of the mist by the mist spraying unit are executed at apredetermined timing corresponding to the order of each step of thecleaning operation course.

In the above automatic hair washing machine, the jetting unit has amixing unit for mixing washing water with any one of shampoo liquid andrinsing liquid to generate the liquid to be jetted from the nozzle linkunit, and the cleaning operation courses contain a first cleaning coursewhose step order is set so that the mist step is executed before ashampoo step for jetting the liquid containing the shampoo liquid, asecond cleaning course whose step order is set so that the mist step isexecuted after a conditioning step for jetting the liquid containing theconditioner liquid, and a third cleaning course whose step order is setso that the conditioning step and the mist step are executed in parallelto each other.

In the above automatic hair washing machine, the mist spraying unit hasa mist generator for generating mist, and the controller is connected toa mist generator controller for controlling the mist generator so thatcommunications can be performed between the controller and the mistgenerator controller, and controls the jetting unit and the mistspraying unit in cooperation with the mist generator controller so thatthe liquid jetting of the jetting unit and the mist spray of the mistspraying unit are executed interlockingly with each other.

In the above automatic hair washing machine, the nozzle link unit isconfigured to jet the liquid while moving along the head portion laid inthe sink, and when the nozzle link unit is located at a position wherethe nozzle link unit jets the liquid to a high position of the headportion laid in the sink, the controller controls the nozzle link unitto concentrically jet the liquid.

In the above automatic hair washing machine, the controller controlsmovement of the nozzle link unit and jetting of the liquid from thenozzle link unit so that the liquid is jetted to a place correspondingto a position of the liquid trickling along the head portion inconformity with the trickling of the liquid attached to the headportion.

In the above automatic hair washing machine, after the liquid is jettedto the high place of the head portion laid in the sink, the controllercontrols the movement of the nozzle link unit and the jetting of theliquid from the nozzle link unit so that the liquid is jetted to a placecorresponding to a position of the liquid trickling along the headportion while controlling the nozzle link unit so that the liquid isjetted within a predetermined range in a reciprocating style inconformity with the trickling of the liquid attached to the headportion.

In the above automatic hair washing machine, after the liquid is jettedto the high place of the head portion laid in the sink, the controllercontrols the jetting pressure of the liquid jetted from the nozzle linkunit in conformity with the trickling of the liquid attached to the headportion along the head portion.

In the above automatic hair washing machine, the nozzle link unit isreciprocable between a head top position corresponding to a head topportion of the head portion laid in the sink and a rear head positioncorresponding to a rear head portion, and the controller concentricallyjets the liquid when the nozzle link unit is located at the head topposition.

In the above automatic hair washing machine, the nozzle link unitcomprises a plurality of nozzle links that jet liquid to different sitesof the head portion respectively, and are connected to a single motorthrough a power transmission mechanism so that the plurality of nozzlelinks are movable in synchronization with one another.

In the above automatic hair washing machine, the nozzle link unitcomprises an upper nozzle link that is reciprocable between a head topposition corresponding to a head top portion of the head portion laid inthe sink and a rear head position corresponding to a rear head portionof the head portion, and a lower nozzle link that is reciprocablebetween a hair position corresponding to a hair hanging from the headportion laid in the sink and a neck position corresponding to a neck,wherein the lower nozzle link is moved in a direction from the hairposition to the neck position in synchronization with movement of theupper nozzle link in a direction from the head top position to the rearhead position, and the lower nozzle link is moved in a direction fromthe neck position to the hair position in synchronization with movementof the upper nozzle link in a direction from the rear head position tothe head top position.

In the above automatic hair washing machine, the power transmissionmechanism has a gear rotating according to driving of the motor, whereinthe plurality of nozzle links are moved synchronously with each otherthrough the gear that is rotated by driving the motor.

In the above automatic hair washing machine, the power transmissionmechanism is provided to one side surface of the sink.

According to the present invention, mist can be effectively sprayed byactively utilizing a characteristic of automatically washing the headportion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an automatic hair washing machineaccording to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the automatic hair washing machine;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the automatic hair washing machine when anouter frame of a sink holding table is detached;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the automatic hair washing machine,and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a main part of the automatic hairwashing machine;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a water passage through which water for theautomatic hair washing machine flows;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a sink connecting portion;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the sink connectingportion;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views showing each member equipped tothe sink connecting portion;

FIG. 9 is a partially cross-sectional view of the sink connectingportion;

FIG. 10A is a left side view of the sink under a state that a drivingmechanism is exposed, and FIG. 10B is a front view of the sink;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional construction of theautomatic hair washing machine and a mist generator;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an operation panel;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic hairwashing machine and the mist generator, particularly the operation fromthe time when an operation course is selected till the selectedoperation course is executed;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic hairwashing machine and the mist generator, particularly the operationthereof when a scalp care course is executed;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic hairwashing machine and the mist generator, particularly the operationthereof when a mist process is executed;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic hairwashing machine and the mist generator, particularly the operationthereof when a hair care course I and a hair care course II areexecuted;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the automatic hair washing machineaccording to a second embodiment;

FIG. 18A is an enlarged view of a sink portion of FIG. 17, and FIG. 18Bis a diagram showing the movement of an upper nozzle link and a lowernozzle link;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a water passage through which water for theautomatic hair washing machine flows;

FIGS. 20A and 21B are front and plan views showing the relationshipbetween a head support net and a nozzle link for a neck;

FIGS. 21A and 21B are plan and end views showing the head support net;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing the functional construction of theautomatic hair washing machine;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a basic operation in an automatic hairwashing process of the automatic hair washing machine;

FIG. 24A is a diagram showing a relaxation step, FIG. 24B is a diagramshowing a first rinsing step, and FIG. 24C is a diagram showing ashampoo step. FIG. 24D is an enlarged view of C3 of FIG. 24C;

FIG. 25A is a diagram showing a second rinsing step, FIG. 25B is adiagram showing a conditioning step, and FIG. 25C is a diagram showing athird rinsing step; and

FIG. 26A is a diagram showing a menthol agent jetting step, and FIG. 26Bis a diagram showing a fourth rinsing step.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will bedescribed hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment according to the present invention will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an automatic hair washing machine1, and FIG. 2 is a top view of the automatic hair washing machine. FIG.3 is a side view of the automatic hair washing machine 1 when an outerframe of a sink holding table 3 is detached. FIG. 4A is across-sectional view of the automatic hair washing machine 1, and FIG.4B is an enlarged view of a main part of the automatic hair washingmachine 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a water passage through whichwater for the automatic hair washing machine 1 flows.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the automatic hair washing machine 1 has asink 2 in which the head portion of a user (hair-washing target) is laid(put or mounted), a sink holding table 3 for holding the sink 2, a seat(FIG. 4) which is disposed in front of the sink holding table 3 and onwhich the user sits (see FIG. 4), and a seat holding table 5 (FIG. 4)for holding the seat 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the sink 2 is a bowl-shaped member having anopening at the upper side thereof. Ahead support net 70 for supportingthe rear head portion of a user so that the head portion faces theinside of the sink 2 under the state that the user turns up is disposedat the front portion of the sink 2. Furthermore, a neck table 7 isdisposed on a front surface portion 2A of the sink 2, and the user canlay (or put) his/her neck on the neck table under the state that theuser sits on the seat 4 and turns up so that the rear head portion ismounted on the head support net 70. The opening at the top of the sink 2can be covered by a cover 8. The rear end of the cover 8 is linked tothe rear end of the sink 2 through a link portion 9 (FIG. 4) so as to berotatable about the link portion 9 within a vertical plane. When hairwashing (cleaning) or the like is executed, the user who sits on theseat 4 lay (or puts) his/her neck on the neck table 7 while the cover 8is opened, and then the cover 8 is closed, whereby the head portion ofthe user can be laid in the sink 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cut-out portion 8 a for the head portion isformed in the cover 8 so that the head portion is placed (or fit) in thecut-out portion 8 a.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the cover 8 is closed when the head portion ofthe user is laid (put) in the sink 2, the cut-out portion 8 a is blockedby the head portion, and thus a substantially hermetically closed space(hereinafter referred to as enclosed space) 8 b (FIG. 4) is formed inthe space surrounded by the sink 2 and the cover 8 so that the headportion is laid so as to protrude into the enclosed space 8 b. Here, theenclosed space does not mean the perfectly hermetically sealed space,and it means a space in which water-tightness is maintained to theextent that washing water jetted from each nozzle link provided in theenclosed space 8 b does not leak from the enclosed space 8 b to theoutside.

According to this embodiment, as described later, any one of washingliquid (water) which does not any cleaning agent such as shampoo liquid,conditioner liquid or the like, and cleaning agent liquid which isblended with cleaning agent such as shampoo liquid, conditioner liquidor the like can be jetted from each nozzle link provided in the enclosedspace 8 b. In the first embodiment, when the washing water and thecleaning agent liquid are not particularly discriminated from eachother, they are merely represented as “washing water”.

When automatic hair washing is executed, washing water is jetted fromeach nozzle link (described later) provided in the enclosed space 8 b tothe head portion to wash the hair of the head portion. At this time,since the head portion is laid so as to protrude into the enclosed space8 b, the automatic hair washing can be smoothly performed withpreventing leakage of the washing water jetted from each nozzle link tothe outside of the enclosed space 8 b. Furthermore, according to thisembodiment, as described later in detail, mist can be arbitrarilysprayed to the head portion of the user by using the enclosed space 8 b.

As not shown in the figures, the cut-out portion 8 a of the cover 8 isprovided with a face seal for sealing the gap between the cut-outportion 8 a and the head portion, and the hermetic sealing(water-tightness) of the enclosed space 8 b can be more enhanced by theface seal.

An upper nozzle link 11 and a lower nozzle link 12 for jetting washingwater to the head portion and hair of a user are arranged in the sink 2.

The upper nozzle link 11 comprises a pipe-shaped member which is curvedso as to be convex to the obliquely upper right side in FIG. 4B and havea substantially arcuate shape along the head portion of the user and hasplural nozzles arranged at predetermined intervals. The upper nozzlelink 11 is supported at one end thereof (i.e., cantilevered) so as to beturnable (swingable) around the one end as indicated by arrows C and Ein FIG. 4B so that the washing water can be jetted to the head portionof the user.

The lower nozzle link 12 comprises a pipe-shaped member which is whollydesigned to be substantially M-shaped and curved so as to be convex(arcuate) toward the left side in FIG. 4B at the center portion of theM-shape and has plural nozzles arranged at predetermined intervals. Thelower nozzle link 12 is supported at one end thereof (i.e.,cantilevered) at the lower side of the upper nozzle link 12 so as to beturnable (swingable) around the one end thereof as indicated by arrows Dand F in FIG. 4B. The lower nozzle link 12 jets washing water toward therear side thereof to wash the user's hair which hangs down from theuser's head at the rear side of the lower nozzle link 12.

Furthermore, a neck nozzle link 80 for jetting wash water to the neck ofthe user who turns up is disposed in the sink 2.

Each of the upper nozzle link 11, the lower nozzle link 12 and the necknozzle link 80 is provided with plural nozzles, and washing watersupplied to the upper nozzle link 11, the lower nozzle link 12 and theneck nozzle link 80 is jetted from each nozzle under a hair washingtreatment.

The upper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12 are turnable(swingable), and the neck nozzle 80 is fixed. The overall head portionand the overall hair of the user can be washed by jetting the washingwater from each nozzle. A hand shower 13 is disposed at the upper rearportion in the sink 2. An operator (working staff of beauty salon or thelike) turns on a cock 14 disposed at the right side of the hand shower13 to adjust the amount of water to be discharged from the hand shower13, whereby the user's hair can be manually washed.

A head top massage nozzle 150 is provided on a rear side surface 100 ofthe sink 2 as shown in FIG. 1. The head top massage nozzle 150 is anozzle for jetting washing water to the top portion of the headsupported on the head support net 70 to massage the head portion.

As shown in FIG. 1, a right-side head massage nozzle 151 is provided ona right side surface of the sink 2, and a left-side head massage nozzle152 is provided on a left-side surface 100 b of the sink 2. Theseside-head massage nozzles are nozzles for jetting washing water to thesides of the head supported on the head support net 70 to massage thehead portion.

Washing water is jetted from the head top massage nozzle 150, theright-side head massage nozzle 151 and the left-side head massage nozzle152 to massage the head portion of the user in a massage step describedlater and when a massage operation is executed.

As shown in FIG. 5, water used for the automatic hair washing machine 1is supplied from tap water facilities and hot water facilities (notshown) at the outside of the machine through a mixing valve 15 and awater supply pipe 16 into the machine. Water is supplied from the tapwater facilities through the water supply unit 17 to the mixing valve15, and hot water is supplied from the hot water facilities through ahot water supply unit 18. The mixing valve 15 mixes the water suppliedfrom the water supply unit 17 with the hot water supplied from the hotwater supply unit 18, and feeds out warm water to the water supply pipe16. A first thermistor 19 for detecting the temperature of warm waterfed out from the mixing valve 15 is disposed at some midpoint of thewater supply pipe 16. A motor 20 is driven on the basis of a detectionresult of the first thermistor 19, whereby the mixing valve 15 is openedor closed to adjust the mixing ratio between water and hot water,thereby generating warm water at a set temperature. The mixing valve 15is an electrically-driven type valve whose valve opening is adjusted bythe motor 20. The motor 20 is a DC motor or a DC electrical motor andhas a brush or the like.

An operation panel 60 is provided at a side of the sink 2. For example,the set temperature, etc. for warm water stocked in a warm water stocktank 25 (described later) are determined by user's operating theoperation panel 60. The water supply pipe 16 is branched into a handshower water supply pipe 21 and a warm water stocking water supply pipe22 at some position thereof (at the downstream side of the firstthermistor 19). The hand shower water supply pipe 21 intercommunicateswith the hand shower 13 through a hand shower valve 13 which can beopened/closed by the cock 14. The warm water stocking water supply pipe22 can supply warm water into the warm water stocking tank 25 through awarm water stocking valve 24 as a warm water supply valve.

A first water level sensor 26 and a second water level sensor 27 fordetecting the water level of warm water stocked in the warm waterstocking tank 25 are arranged in the warm water stocking tank 25 so asto be spaced from each other at a fixed interval in the verticaldirection. When warm water in the warm water stocking tank 25 is usedand it is detected by the second water level sensor 27 that the waterlevel reaches a predetermined water level, the warm water stocking valve24 is opened, and warm water in the warm water stocking tank 25 issupplied. Thereafter, it is detected by the first water level sensor 26that the water level of the warm water in the warm water stocking tank25 reaches a predetermined highest water level, the warm water stockingvalve 24 is closed, and the supply of the warm water is stopped. Asdescribed above, warm water of a predetermined water level or more isallowed to be stocked in the warm water stocking tank 25.

A overflow water port 28 is formed at the upper portion of the warmwater stocking tank 25 (at the upper side of the first water levelsensor 26). The overflow water port 28 leaks surplus warm water to theoutside of the warm water stocking tank 25 when warm water of thehighest water level or more is supplied to the warm water stocking tank25 due to a trouble of the first water level sensor 26 or the like. Warmwater overflowing from the overflow water port 28 is received by anoverflow tank 29, and then discharged to the outside of the machinethrough a water discharge pipe 30 intercommunicating with the overflowtank 29. An overflow sensor 31 is disposed in the overflow tank 29. Whenit is detected by the overflow sensor 31 that the water level of waterin the overflow tank 29 reaches the highest water level due to cloggingof a water discharge pipe 30, the operation of the automatic hairwashing machine 1 is stopped.

An suction pipe 33 is connected to the lowest portion of the warm waterstocking tank 25 at one end thereof, and also connected to a main pump32 at the other end thereof. The main pump 32 is supplied with ACcurrent from an inverter 64 (FIG. 11) to be driven, and sucks warm waterin the warm water stocking tank 25 through the suction pipe 33. Ashampoo supply pipe 35 reaching a shampoo container 34 for accommodatingshampoo liquid and a conditioner supply pipe 37 reaching a conditionercontainer 36 for accommodating conditioner liquid are connected to someportions of the suction pipe 33. A shampoo pump 38 and a conditionerpump 39 are provided to some portions of the shampoo supply pipe 35 andthe conditioner supply pipe 37, respectively. Upon action of each of theshampoo pump 38 and the conditioner pump 39, the contamination amount ofeach of the shampoo liquid and the conditioner liquid into the warmwater passing through the suction pipe 33 is properly adjusted, wherebywashing water to be used at that time is sucked into the main pump 32.

As not shown in FIG. 5, plural other containers for accommodatingcleaning agent such as shampoo liquid, conditioner liquid, etc. areprovided in addition to the shampoo container 34 and the conditionercontainer 36. Each of the plural containers is connected to a supplypipe through which cleaning agent liquid flows, and each supply pipe isconnected to a pump for supplying cleaning agent liquid accommodated inthe corresponding container through the supply pipe to the suction pipe33.

The washing water sucked from the suction pipe 32 into the main pump 32is fed out to a water feeding pipe 40 having six shunt pathways. Afilter 41 is provided in the water feed pipe 40, and six valves of anupper nozzle valve 42, a lower nozzle valve 43, a neck nozzle valve 74,a drain valve 44, a head top valve 155 and a side head valve 156 areprovided to the six shunt pathways at the downstream side of the filter41, respectively. A branch paths 46, 47, 75, 48, 158 and 159 areprovided so as to extend from the six shunt paths provided with theupper nozzle valve 42, the lower nozzle valve 43, the neck nozzle valve74, the drain valve 44, the head top valve 155 and the side head valve156, respectively. The terminal of the branch path 46 extending from theupper nozzle valve 42 is connected to the upper nozzle link 11, theterminal of the branch path 47 extending from the lower nozzle valve 43is connected to the lower nozzle link 12, and the terminal of the branchpath 75 extending from the neck nozzle valve 74 is connected to the necknozzle link 80.

The terminal of the branch path 158 extending from the head top valve155 is connected to the head top massage nozzle 150. The terminal of thebranch path 159 extending from the side head valve 156 is branched atsome midpoint, and connected to the right side head massage nozzle 151and the left side head massage nozzle 152.

A drain port 50 for discharging water in the sink 2 is formed in thebottom surface of the sink 2, and the drain port 50 intercommunicateswith the water discharge pipe 30 through a sink-side water dischargetrap 51 for preventing reverse flow of odor of sewage water.Accordingly, water discharged from the drain port 50 of the sink 2 isdischarged through the water discharge pipe 30 to the outside of themachine. The terminal of the branch path 48 extending from the drainvalve 44 is connected to the sink-side water discharge trap 51.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the automatic hair washing machine 1 ofthis embodiment is connected to a mist generator 90.

As shown in FIG. 5, the mist generator 90 is a device for generatingmist and supplying the generated mist into the sink 2, and it has a misttank 90 a for stocking warm water used to generate mist, and a mistgenerator 90 b for generating mist from warm water supplied from themist tank 90 a.

The mist tank 90 a is provided with a heater 90 c for heating warm waterstocked in the mist tank 90 a, and a mist thermistor 90 d for detectingthe temperature of the warm water stocked in the mist tank 90 a.

The mist generator 90 b is provided with an ultrasonic generator 90 ffor vibrating warm water supplied from the mist tank 90 a by ultrasonicwaves and atomizing the warm water to generate mist, and a fan 90 f forfeeding out the mist generated by the ultrasonic generator 90 f to amist feeding pipe 91.

The mist feeding pipe 91 is connected to the mist generator 90 at oneend thereof, and also connected to the sink 2 through a sink connectionportion 94 (FIGS. 3 to 5) at the other end thereof. The mist generatedin the mist generator 90 is passed through the mist feed pipe 91, andsupplied into the sink 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a mist discharge pipe 101 is provided tothe rear side surface 100 of the sink 2 so as to project to the insideof the sink 2, and a mist discharge port 102 is formed at the opening ofthe end portion of the mist discharge pipe 101. The mist discharge pipe101 is connected to the mist feed pipe 91, and the mist supplied formthe mist generator 90 is passed through the mist feed pipe 91 and themist discharge pipe 101 and supplied from the mist discharge port 102into the sink 2.

In this embodiment, the mist generator 90, the mist discharge port 102and the mist feed pipe 91 are cooperated with one another and functionas a mist spray unit for spraying mist into the enclosed space 8 b.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a water discharge trap 92 is on the mist feedpipe 91.

The function of the water discharge trap 92, the flow of mist in themist feed pipe 91 and the flow of reverse flow water (described later)flowing from the sink 2 into the mist feed pipe 91 will be describedhereunder.

The mist feed pipe 91 is a pipe for supplying the mist generated in themist generator 90 into the sink 2, and washing water or the likesupplied for washing in the sink 2 may flow into the mist feed pipe 91.In the following description, liquid such as washing water or the likeflowing from the sink 2 into the mist feed pipe 91 is convenientlyreferred to as “reverse flow water”. In this embodiment, it is assumedthat the reverse flow water flows into the mist feed pipe 91 in no smallpart for a reason described later.

When the reverse flow water flows into the main body of the mistgenerator 90 through the mist feed pipe 91, it causes a trouble in themist generator and also obstructs smooth supply of mist to the sink 2.

According to this embodiment, in consideration of this fact, a waterdischarge trap inlet pipe 93 extending downwardly is connected to themist feed pipe 91. The connection portion between the mist feed pipe 91and the water discharge trap inlet pipe 93 is disposed to be lower thanthe sink connection portion 94, and the reverse flow water flowing fromthe sink 2 to the mist feed pipe 91 flows to the connection portion 95along the slope of the mist feed pipe 91 and then flows into the waterdischarge trap inlet pipe 93 at the connection portion 95. Accordingly,the reverse flow water is prevented from reaching the mist generator 90.

As described above, the water discharge trap inlet pipe 93 is providedon the mist feed pipe 91, whereby the reverse flow water flowing intothe mist generator 90 is prevented from flowing into the mist generator90. Therefore, there is a risk that the mist supplied from the mistgenerator 90 to the sink 2 flows into the water discharge trap inletpipe 93, which disturb smooth supply of mist to the sink 2.

According to this embodiment, in consideration of this risk, a waterdischarge trap 92 comprising a so-called S-shaped trap is provided atthe lower portion of the water discharge trap inlet pipe 93. The waterdischarge trap 92 has a liquid stock portion 96 which is formed so as tobe downwardly bent in a U-shape. The reverse flow water is suppliedthrough the water discharge trap inlet pipe 93 into the liquid stockportion 96, and the liquid of a predetermined water level is trapped atall times. The liquid trapped in the liquid stock portion 96 of thewater discharge trap 92 serves as a stopper, and the mist supplied fromthe mist generator 90 to the sink 2 is prevented from flowing into thewater discharge trap inlet pipe 93, whereby the disturbance of thesmooth mist supply can be prevented.

The mist feed pipe 91 is a pipe through which the mist supplied to thesink 2 passes. Therefore, drain water occurs in the mist feed pipe 91due to flow of the mist. The drain water occurring in the mist feed pipe91 is supplied through the water discharge trap inlet pipe 93 into thewater discharge trap 92 as in the case of the reverse flow water flowinginto the water discharge trap 92, and thus the flow-in of the drainwater into the mist generator 90 can be prevented.

The drain water occurring in the mist generator 90 in connection withoccurrence of mist in the mist generator 90 is discharged from a drainwater discharge pipe 97 connected to the mist generator 90 to theoutside of the mist generator 90, and the other end of the drain waterdischarge pipe 97 is connected to the water discharge trap inlet pipe93. Accordingly, the drain water discharged from the mist generator 90is properly supplied to the water discharge trap 92, and the liquid ismore surely trapped in the water discharge trap 92.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the treatment of thedrain water can be performed without providing any dedicated passage fordischarging drain water, any electromagnetic valve to be provided on thepassage, any equipment provided to control the electromagnetic vale,etc. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and themanufacturing easiness can be enhanced.

A water discharge trap outlet pipe 98 is connected to the exit side ofthe water discharge trap 92.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the other end of the water discharge trapoutlet pipe 98 is connected to the water discharge pipe 30 describedabove, and liquid which exceeds the predetermined water level in theliquid stock portion 96 of the water discharge trap 92 and flows intothe water discharge trap outlet pipe 98 flows out through the waterdischarge trap outlet pipe 98 to the water discharge pipe 30 and then isdischarged to the outside of the machine through the water dischargepipe 30. That is, the reverse flow water flowing into the mist feed pipe91 and the drain water caused by occurrence of mist are discharged tothe outside of the machine through the existing water discharge pipe 30.As described above, the reverse flow water and the drain water aredischarged to the outside of the machine by using the existingfacilities such as the water discharge pipe 30 of the sink 2, etc., andthus the cost can be reduced and the manufacturing easiness can beenhanced as compared with a case where a mechanism for dischargingliquid to the outside of the machine is newly provided.

Here, in this embodiment, the mist discharge port 102 is set to beexposed to the inside of the sink 2, and it is not adopted to provide anumbrella portion or the like to the mist discharge port 102 so that thereverse flow water is prevented from flowing into the mist dischargeport 102. The reason for this is as follows.

That is, in this embodiment, mist is supplied into the sink 2 for thepurpose of achieving a treatment effect by bringing mist containing apredetermined cleaning agent component into contact with the headportion of a user in the sink 2 and also achieving a relaxation effectby bringing warm mist having a good flavor into contact with the headportion of the user. Accordingly, the above effects can be achieved atmaximum when the mist is directly sprayed to the head portion of theuser from the mist discharge port 102 while keeping some degree ofwarmth.

When an umbrella or the like is provided at the position correspondingto the mist discharge port 102, the reverse flow water can be preventedfrom flowing into the mist discharge port 102. However, the umbrellaportion disturbs direct spray of mist from the mist discharge port 102to the head portion of the user, and also mist is sprayed to the headportion of the user while bypassing the umbrella, so that thetemperature of the mist may be reduced by this bypass.

According to this embodiment, in consideration of the above fact, themist discharge port 102 is set to be exposed in the sink 2, and the mistis directly sprayed from the mist discharged port 102 to the headportion laid in the internal space of the sink 2, whereby the treatmenteffect and the relaxation effect can be effectively achieved. When theumbrella is not provided at the position corresponding to the mistdischarge port 102, the reverse flow water flows into the mist dischargeport 102 in no small measure. However, the reverse flow water can besurely prevented from flowing into the mist generator 90 by the functionof the water discharge trap 92, etc. and also the smooth mist supply canbe prevented from being disturbed as described above.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the sink connection portion 94 whenthe sink connection portion 94 is viewed from the inside of the sink 2.FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the sink connection portion94.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the hollow cylindrical mist discharge pipe101 is provided so as to project to the inside of the sink 2. The mistdischarge port 102 is formed at the opening of the end portion of themist discharge pipe 101. The mist discharge pipe 101 is connected to themist feed pipe 91 described above, and mist supplied from the mistgenerator 90 is passed through the mist feed pipe 91 and the mistdischarge pipe 101 and supplied from the mist discharge port 102 intothe sink 2.

As described above, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the mist dischargeport 102 is set to be exposed to the inside of the sink 2, and it is notprovided with any umbrella portion for preventing flow-in of the reversewater flow into the mist discharge port 102. The reason for this isdescribed above.

In this embodiment, mist is sprayed from the “hollow cylindrical” mistdischarge pipe 101. Accordingly, the mist is sprayed to the head portionwith some degree of directivity, and thus the treatment effect and therelaxation effect can be further enhanced.

Particularly, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mist discharge port 102 isprovided at the center lower portion of the rear side surface 100 of thesink 2, and atomized mist having a characteristic that it ascends in airis discharged from the mist discharge port 102 so that the mist prevailsover the whole area of the head portion of a user who turns up. That is,when the mist is sprayed from the mist discharge port 102 provided atthe center lower portion of the rear side surface 100 of the sink 2 tothe neighborhood of the rear head portion of the user who turns up, themist prevails to the overall area of the head portion along the shape ofthe head portion while ascending upwardly.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear head portion of the user issupported on the head support net 70 in the sink 2 during the automatichair washing treatment (see FIGS. 2 and 4). In this case, the hair hangsvertically down from the head support net 70. In consideration of thisfact, the mist discharge port 102 is provided at the center lowerportion of the rear side surface 100 of the sink 2, and the mist can besprayed from the side to the hair hanging down in the verticaldirection, so that the mist can be made to suitably prevail over thewhole area of the hair containing the hair hanging down.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views showing respective membersconstituting the sink connection portion 94. FIG. 8A shows a mistdischarge portion 110, and FIG. 8B are partially cross-sectional viewsof a front side discharge portion fixing member 111 at the left side ofFIG. 8B and also shows a rear side discharge portion fixing member 112at the right side of FIG. 8B. FIG. 9 is a partially cross-sectional viewof the sink connection portion 94.

As shown in FIG. 7, the sink connection portion 94 has the mistdischarge portion 110, the front side discharge portion fixing member111 and the rear side discharge portion fixing member 112. The frontside discharge portion fixing member 111 is fixed to the sink 2, and hasa disc-shaped front side flange portion 114, a hollow cylindricalcontact portion 113 which has a diameter smaller than the diameter ofthe front side flange portion 114 and projects from the front sideflange portion 114 to the front side, and a hollow cylindricalprojecting portion 115 which has a diameter smaller than the contactportion 113 and projects from the contact portion 113 to the front sideas shown in FIG. 8B.

Here, in the rear side surface 100 of the sink 2, a through hole 116(FIG. 7) is provided so as to penetrate through the rear side surface100 at the position where the sink connection portion 94 is provided.The diameter of the through hole 116 is substantially equal to thediameter of the projecting portion 115. Therefore, the projectingportion 115 can penetrate through the through hole 116, however, thecontact portion 113 cannot penetrate through the through hole 116.

The front side discharge portion fixing member 111 is fixed to the sink2 under the state that the projecting portion 115 is fitted (penetrate)in the through hole 116 and the front surface of the contact portion 113is brought into contact with the back surface of the rear side surface100. More specifically, a male screw portion is formed on the outerperiphery of a part of the projecting portion 115 which penetratesthrough the through hole 116 and extends to the inside of the sink 2. Anut 117 is threaded on the male screw portion as shown in FIG. 7, andthe rear side surface 100 of the sink 2 is pinched by the nut 117 andthe front surface of the contact portion 113, whereby the front sidedischarge portion fixing member 111 is fixed to the sink 2.

A front side discharge portion accommodating unit 119 (the left side ofFIG. 8B, FIG. 9) is formed in the front side discharge portion fixingmember 111, and this will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rear side discharge portion fixing member112 has a disc-shaped rear side flange portion 118 having the shapecorresponding to the front side flange portion 114 of the front sidedischarge portion fixing member 111, a base portion 120 which has adiameter smaller than the diameter of the rear side flange portion 118and projects from the rear side flange portion 118 to the rear side, anda hollow cylindrical pipe connection portion 121 provided at the rearportion of the base portion 120. The mist feed pipe 91 is connected tothe pipe connection portion 121 with keeping airtightness.

Plural front side screw holes 122 are formed in the front side flangeportion 114 of the front side discharge portion fixing member 111 so asto be spaced from one another at intervals in the peripheral direction,and rear side screw holes 123 are likewise formed in the rear sideflange portion 118 of the rear side discharge portion fixing member 112at the positions corresponding to the front side screw holes 122.Dedicated bolts and nuts are secured to the front side screw holes 122and the rear side screw holes 123 under the state that the front sideflange portion 114 and the rear side flange portion 118 are overlappedwith each other, whereby the rear side flange portion 118 is fixed tothe front side flange portion 114, and also the rear side dischargeportion fixing member 112 is fixed to the front side discharge portionfixing member 111.

A rear side discharge portion accommodating portion 124 (the right sideof FIG. 8B, FIG. 9) is formed in the rear side discharge portion fixingmember 112, and this will be described later.

The mist discharge portion 110 has the mist discharge pipe 101 describedabove, and a thin cylindrical positioning member 125 which is connectedto base end of the mist discharge pipe 101 and whose axial directioncorresponds to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of themist discharge pipe 101. As shown in FIG. 9, an inner cavity 126 whichis linked to the inner periphery of the mist discharge pipe 101 andextends in the front-and-rear direction is formed in the positioningmember 125, and an opening 127 intercommunicating with the inner cavity126 is formed in the rear surface of the positioning member 125.

As described later, when the front side discharge portion fixing member111 and the rear side discharge portion fixing member 112 are joined toeach other under the state that the mist discharge portion 110 isinstalled, the opening 127 and the inner cavity of the pipe connectionportion 121 of the rear side discharge portion fixing member 112intercommunicate with each other as shown in FIG. 9. Accordingly, mistintroduced from the mist feed pipe 91 connected to the pipe connectionportion 121 flows into the mist discharge pipe 101 through the pipeconnection portion 121.

Bosses 130 which project to the outside along the axial direction of thepositioning unit 125 are provided to the centers of the right and leftside surfaces of the positioning unit 125.

As shown in FIG. 9, the front side discharge portion fixing member 111and the rear side discharge portion fixing member 112 are joined to eachother under the state that the mist discharge portion 110 is installedtherein.

Describing in more detail, the front side discharge portionaccommodating portion 119 (the left side of FIG. 8B, FIG. 9) formed inthe front side discharge portion fixing member 111, and the rear sidedischarge portion accommodating portion 124 (the right side of FIG. 8B,FIG. 9) formed in the rear side discharge portion fixing member 112 arejoined to each other to form a positioning unit accommodating space 131,and the positioning unit 125 of the mist discharge portion 110 isaccommodated in the positioning unit accommodating space 131. Inaddition, the mist discharge pipe 101 of the mist discharge portion 110extends into the projecting portion 115 of the front side dischargeportion fixing member 111, and the tip thereof projects from the tip ofthe projecting portion 115. The front side discharge portion fixingmember 111 and the rear side discharge portion fixing member 112 arejoined to each other while mist discharge pipe 101 is installed underthe above state.

At this time, in the positioning unit accommodating space 131, bossgrooves 133 in which the bosses 130 are fitted are formed at thepositions corresponding to the bosses 130 formed at the centers of theright and left side surfaces of the accommodated positioning unit 125,and the positioning unit 125 is accommodated in the positioning unitaccommodating space 131 under the state that the bosses 130 are fittedin the boss grooves 133.

Under the construction described above, according to this embodiment,the mist discharge pipe 101 is turned in a predetermined range, andafter it is turned, the position of the mist discharge pipe 101 ismaintained.

Describing in detail, when the mist discharge pipe 101 projecting fromthe inside of the projecting portion 115 is gripped and then turned inthe direction corresponding to the up-and-down direction (in thedirection of an arrow Y in FIGS. 6 and 9), the positioning unit 125 ofthe mist discharge portion 110 is turned around the bosses 130 in thepositioning unit accommodating space 131. The mist discharge pipe 101 isturnable until the outer periphery of the mist discharge pipe 101 comesinto contact with the inner periphery of the projecting portion 115 andthus the further turning of the mist discharge pipe 101 is restricted.

In this embodiment, the size and shape of the positioning unitaccommodating space 131 and the size and shape of the positioning unit125 are determined so that the positioning unit 125 comes into contactwith the inside of the positioning unit accommodating space 131 andturns while sliding along the inner of the positioning unitaccommodating space 131 when the positioning unit 125 is turned in thepositioning unit accommodating space 131 in connection with the turningof the mist discharge pipe 101. Accordingly, when the mist dischargepipe 101 turns, the orientation of the mist discharge pipe 101 afterturning is maintained by the frictional force caused by the contactbetween the positioning unit 125 and the positioning unit accommodatingspace 131.

As described above, in this embodiment, the orientation (direction) ofthe mist discharge pipe 101 can be changed in a predetermined range, andalso after the change, the changed orientation (direction) of the mistdischarge pipe 101 is maintained. Accordingly, the following effect canbe obtained.

That is, the size and shape of the head portion are different amongpersons (users). Accordingly, the optimum orientation (direction) of themist discharge port 102 formed at the mist discharge port 101 varies inaccordance with the person (user). The orientation of the mist dischargeport 102 can be optimized in accordance with the user (person whose hairis washed) by making the orientation of the mist discharge pipe 101(i.e., the jetting direction of the mist) changeable in a predeterminedrange. Particularly, according to this embodiment, the orientation ofthe mist discharge port 102 of the mist discharge pipe 101 can bechanged by a very simple work of griping and turning the mist dischargepipe 101, and thus the workability is excellent and the work needs onlya short time, thereby enhancing the convenience of users (containingpersons whose hair is washed, operators such as staff of shops, etc.).

Next, the upper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12 will bedescribed.

The upper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12 are configured tobe reiteratively movable in synchronization with each other whilesupported at one ends thereof (i.e., cantilevered).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4B, the upper nozzle link 11 isreiteratively movable so that it starts to turn around the rotationalaxis A in the direction of the arrow C, turns from the head top positionT1 shown in FIG. 4B, reaches a rear head position T2, reversely turnsfrom the rear head position T2 and returns to the head top position T1.Here, when the upper nozzle link 11 is located at the head top positionT1, washing water is jetted in the direction of the arrow Y1 from eachof the nozzles formed in the upper nozzle link 11, whereby the washingwater is jetted to the neighborhood of the head top portion of a user(person whose hair is washed). When the upper nozzle link 11 is locatedat the rear head position T2, the washing water is jetted in thedirection of the arrow Y2 from each of the nozzles formed in the uppernozzle link 11, whereby the washing water is jetted to the neighborhoodof the rear head portion of the user.

Furthermore, the lower nozzle link 12 is reiteratively movable so thatit starts to turn in the direction of an arrow D around the rotationalaxis B, turns from a hair position T3 shown in FIG. 4B, reaches the neckposition T4, reversely from the neck position T4 in the direction of anarrow F and then returns to the hair position T3. Here, when the lowernozzle link 12 is located at the hair position T3, washing water isjetted in the direction of an arrow Y3 from each of the nozzles formedin the lower nozzle link 12, whereby the washing water is jetted to theuser's hair handing down from the user's head. Furthermore, when thelower nozzle link 12 is located at the neck position T4, washing wateris jetted in the direction of an arrow Y4 from each of the nozzlesformed in the lower nozzle link 12, whereby the washing water is jettedto the neighborhood of the neck of the user.

In this embodiment, the upper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link12 are synchronously moved in the opposite turning directions (clockwiseand counterclockwise in FIG. 4B) by a driving mechanism 189 describedlater while the jetting directions thereof are set to the same directionwith respect to the hair growing direction at the rear head portion asdescribed later.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the upper nozzle link 11 is locatedat the head top position T1, the lower nozzle link 12 is set to belocated at the hair position T3. Here, it is assumed that the uppernozzle link 11 is located at the head top position T1 and the lowernozzle link 12 is located at the hair position T3. At this time, whenthe upper nozzle link 11 starts to turn in the direction of the arrow C(clockwise), the lower nozzle link starts to turn in the direction ofthe arrow D (counterclockwise) in synchronization with the turning ofthe upper nozzle link 11. In this case, at the rear head portion (at arear half portion of the head with respect to the head top), the upperand lower nozzle links 11 and 12 jet washing water to the head portionin the same direction which is identical to the hair growing direction.That is, the jetting directions of the upper and lower nozzle links 11and 12 are set to the same direction with respect to the hair growingdirection.

Furthermore, when the upper nozzle link 11 reaches the rear headposition T2, the lower nozzle link 12 reaches the neck position T4substantially at the same time. After the upper nozzle link 11 reachesthe rear head position T2 and the lower nozzle link 12 reaches the neckposition T4, these nozzle links are reversely moved. That is, it isassumed that the upper nozzle link 11 is located at the rear headposition T2 and the lower nozzle link 12 is located at the neck positionT4. At this time when the upper nozzle link 11 starts to turn in thereverse direction to the arrow C (i.e., the direction of an arrow E;counterclockwise), the lower nozzle link 12 starts to turn in thereverse direction to the arrow D (i.e., the direction of an arrow F;clockwise). At the rear head portion, the upper and lower nozzle links11 and 12 jet washing water to the head portion in the same directionwhich is opposite to the hair growing direction. That is, the jettingdirections of the upper and lower nozzle links 11 and 12 are set to thesame direction with respect to the hair growing direction. When theupper nozzle link 11 reaches the head top position T1, the lower nozzlelink 12 reaches the hair position T3 at the same time.

Here, for example when the upper nozzle link 11 is moved in the samedirection as the hair growing direction while jetting washing water andalso the lower nozzle link 12 is moved in the opposite direction to thehair growing direction while jetting washing water, that is, when themoving directions of the upper and lower nozzle links 11 and 12 withrespect to the hair growing direction are different from each other, theupper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12 jet washing water tothe head portion and hair of the user from the different directions withrespect to the hair growing direction. Therefore, there occurs asituation that the hair becomes entangled.

However, as described above, the upper nozzle link 11 and the lowernozzle link 12 are moved in the same direction synchronously with eachother, and thus the moving directions of the upper and lower nozzlelinks 11 and 12 with respect to the hair growing direction arecoincident with each other at all times, and thus occurrence of thesituation that the hair gets entangled can be prevented.

In this embodiment, under the control of a microcomputer 89(controller), the upper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12 canmake complicate motions in synchronization with each other, for example,they can move synchronously with each other while changing the movingspeed, they can temporarily stop after moving in a fixed range, theyreiteratively move in a predetermined range, etc.

Next, the driving mechanism 189 for implementing the synchronousmovement between the upper and lower nozzle links 11 and 12 will bedescribed.

FIG. 10A is a left side view showing the sink 2 under the state that thesink holding table 3 is detached and the side surface of the sink 2 isexposed. In FIG. 10 a, a microcomputer 89 is schematically shown. FIG.10B is a front view of the sink 2 under the above state (a front viewshowing a substantially left half part of the sink 2 when viewed fromthe front side).

As shown in FIG. 10A, a stepping motor 191 is provided at the lowerportion of the let side surface 190 of the sink 2. The stepping motor191 is connected to a motor driving circuit (not shown). Under thecontrol of the microcomputer 89, driving pulses are input from the motordriving circuit to the stepping motor 191, and the stepping motor 191rotates in a predetermined direction by a predetermined distance on thebasis of the input driving pulses. As well known, the quantity of motionof the stepping motor 191 is defined in proportion to the number ofdriving pulses, and thus the accurate positioning control can beimplemented by the microcomputer 89.

A power (driving force) transmission mechanism 201 for transmitting therotational driving force (power) of the stepping motor 191 to the uppernozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12 is connected to the steppingmotor 191.

The power transmission mechanism 201 will be described hereunder indetail.

A lower gear 193 is provided at the upper side of the stepping motor191. A lower timing belt 194 for transmitting the rotational drivingforce of the stepping motor 191 to the lower gear 193 is wound betweenthe lower gear 193 and a pulley (not shown) secured to the rotor shaftof the stepping motor 191, and the lower gear 193 is rotated whiledecelerated in a predetermined decelerating ratio in accordance with therotation of the stepping motor 191.

The lower nozzle link 12 is connected to the output shaft of the lowergear 193, and the lower nozzle link 12 turns in accordance with therotation of the lower gear 193. Specifically, when the lower gear 193rotates in the direction of an arrow X shown in FIG. 10A, the lowernozzle link 12 turns from the hair position T3 to the neck position T4(the direction indicated by the arrow D). When the lower gear 193rotates in the direction of an arrow Y shown in FIG. 10A, the lowernozzle link 12 turns from the neck position T4 to the hair position T3(the direction indicated by the arrow F. Under the control of themicrocomputer 89, the lower nozzle link 12 turns between the hairposition T3 and the neck position T4 in synchronization with the uppernozzle link 11. This will be described later.

An upper gear 196 which is engaged with the lower gear 193 is providedat the upper side of the lower gear 193. The upper gear 196 rotates inthe opposite direction to the rotational direction of the lower gear 193in connection with the rotation of the lower gear 193.

A pulley 197 is provided at the upper side of the upper gear 196, and anupper timing belt 198 for transmitting the rotational driving power ofthe upper gear 196 to the pulley 197 is wound between the upper gear 196and the pulley 197, and the pulley 197 rotates in accordance with therotation of the upper gear 196.

The upper nozzle link 11 is connected to the output shaft of the pulley197, and the upper nozzle link 11 turns in accordance with the rotationof the upper gear 196. Specifically, when the upper gear 196 rotates inthe direction of the arrow Y shown in FIG. 10A (at this time, the lowergear 193 rotates in the direction of the arrow X), the upper nozzle link11 turns from the head top position T1 to the rear head position T2 (thedirection indicated by the arrow C). When the upper gear 196 turns inthe direction of the arrow X shown in FIG. 10A (at this time, the lowergear 193 rotates in the direction of the Y direction), the upper nozzlelink 11 turns from the rear head position T2 to the head top position T1(the direction of the arrow E). Under the control of the microcomputer89, the upper nozzle link 11 turns between the head top position T1 andthe rear head position T2 in synchronization with the lower nozzle link12. This will be described later.

Next, the synchronous motion between the upper nozzle link 11 and thelower nozzle link 12 in connection with the operation of the drivingmechanism 189 will be described in detail.

First, it is assumed that the upper nozzle link 11 is located at thehead top position T1 and the lower nozzle link 12 is located at the hairposition T3. In this case, the microcomputer 89 rotates the steppingmotor 191 in the direction of the arrow X of FIG. 10A. In connectionwith the rotation of the stepping motor 191 in the direction of thearrow X, the lower gear 193 rotates in the direction of the arrow X. Inconnection with the rotation of the lower gear 193 in the direction ofthe arrow X, the lower nozzle link 12 located at the hair position T3turns in the direction of the arrow D.

Furthermore, in connection with the rotation of the lower gear 193 inthe direction of the arrow X, the upper gear 196 turns in the directionof the arrow Y. In connection with the rotation of the upper gear 196 inthe direction of the arrow Y, the pulley 197 rotates in the direction ofthe arrow Y. In connection with the rotation of the pulley 197 in thedirection of the arrow Y, the upper nozzle link 11 located at the headtop position T1 turns in the direction of the arrow C.

As described above, in synchronization with the movement of the uppernozzle link 11 from the head top position T1 to the rear head positionT2, the lower nozzle link 12 moves from the hair position T3 to the neckposition T4.

Furthermore, when the lower nozzle link 12 turns in the direction of thearrow D and consequently the lower nozzle link 12 reaches the neckposition T4, the upper nozzle link 11 reaches the rear head position T2at the same time. That is, in this embodiment, the upper gear 196, thelower gear 193, the pulley 197 and the other members associated with theturning of the nozzle links are designed so that the upper nozzle link11 reaches the rear head position T2 at the same time when the lowernozzle link 12 reaches the neck position T4.

When the lower nozzle link 12 reaches the neck position T4 and thus theupper nozzle link 11 reaches the rear head position T2, the steppingmotor 191 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 10A (the direction of thearrow Y in FIG. 10A) under the control of the microcomputer 89.

In connection with the rotation of the stepping motor 191 in thedirection of the arrow Y, the lower gear 193 rotates in the direction ofthe arrow Y, and in connection with the rotation of the lower gear 193in the direction of the arrow Y, the lower nozzle link 12 located at theneck position T4 turns in the direction of the arrow F.

Furthermore, in connection with the rotation of the lower gear 193 inthe direction of the arrow Y, the upper gear 196 rotates in thedirection of the arrow X, and in connection with the rotation of theupper gear 196 in the direction of the arrow X, the pulley 197 rotatesin the direction of the arrow X. In connection with the rotation of thepulley 197 in the direction of the arrow X, the upper nozzle link 11located at the rear head position T2 turns in the direction of the arrowE.

As described above, the lower nozzle link 12 is moved from the neckposition T4 to the hair position T3 in synchronization with the movementof the upper nozzle link 11 from the rear head position T2 to the headtop position T1.

The arrival of the lower nozzle link 12 at the hair position T3 and theneck position T4 is suitably detected on the basis of the number ofrotation steps calculated from the number of driving pulses input to thestepping motor 191.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10A, the upper gear 196 is provided with agear position detecting switch unit 200. The gear position detectingswitch 200 is a magnet type sensor for detecting that the upper nozzlelink 11 exceeds the head top position T2 and further turns in thedirection of the arrow E or that the upper nozzle link 11 exceeds therear head position T2 and further turns in the direction of the arrow C.When the upper gear 196 rotates in the direction of the arrow X so thatthe upper nozzle link 11 exceeds the head top position T1 and furtherturns in the direction of the arrow E, the contact point of the gearposition detecting switch unit 200 is conducted by a magnet (not shown)provided to the upper gear 196, and a signal representing this fact isoutput to a predetermined port of the microcomputer 89. Themicrocomputer 89 to which the signal concerned is input stops thedriving of the stepping motor 191 so that the upper nozzle link 11 isprevented from exceeding the head top position T1 and further turning inthe direction of the arrow E. At the same time, the lower nozzle link 12moving in synchronization with the upper nozzle link 11 is preventedfrom exceeding the hair position T3 and further turning in the directionof the arrow F.

Likewise, when the upper gear 196 rotates in the direction of the arrowY so that the upper nozzle link 11 exceeds the rear head position T2 andfurther turns in the direction of the arrow C, the contact point of thegear position detecting switch unit 200 is conducted by a magnet (notshown) provided to the upper gear 196, and a signal representing thisfact is output to a predetermined port of the microcomputer 89. Themicrocomputer 89 to which the signal concerned is input stops thedriving of the stepping motor 191 so that the upper nozzle link 11 isprevented from exceeding the rear head position T2 and further turningin the direction of the arrow C. At the same time, the lower nozzle link12 moving in synchronization with the upper nozzle link 11 is preventedfrom exceeding the neck position T4 and further turning in the directionof the arrow D.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional construction of theautomatic hair washing machine 1 and the mist generator 90.

As shown in FIG. 11, the automatic hair washing machine 1 has themicrocomputer 89.

The microcomputer 89 concentrically controls the respective parts of theautomatic hair washing machine 1, and has CPU, ROM, RAM and otherperipheral circuits. The microcomputer 89 can execute various kinds oftime counting operations on the basis of a reference clock generated byan oscillator (not shown).

Various kinds of detection signals are input to the microcomputer 89from the first water level sensor 26, the second water level sensor 27,the overflow sensor 31 and the first thermistor 19, and also anoperation signal corresponding to an instruction is input to themicrocomputer 89 from an operation panel 60 for performing various kindsof instructions.

The microcomputer 89 is connected to control targets such as the motor20, the warm water stock valve 24, the shampoo pump 38, the conditionerpump 39, the inverter 64, the upper nozzle valve 42, the lower nozzlevalve 43, the drain valve 44, the neck nozzle valve 74, etc.

The mixing valve 15 is connected to the motor 20, and the microcomputer89 controls the driving of the motor 20 to open/close the mixing valve15, whereby the temperature of warm water to be supplied to the watersupply pipe 16 can be adjusted.

Furthermore, the microcomputer 89 is connected to the inverter 64 forsupplying AC current to the main pump 32 to control the dischargepressure of washing water to be discharged from the main pump 32. Asshown in FIG. 5, the washing water discharged from the main pump 32 isjetted from the nozzles formed in the upper nozzle link 11, the lowernozzle link 12 and the neck nozzle link 80 through the upper nozzlevalve 42, the lower nozzle valve 43 and the neck nozzle valve 74.Accordingly, the microcomputer 89 controls the inverter 64 to controlthe jetting pressure of washing water to be jetted from the nozzles ofthe respective nozzle links.

Furthermore, a driving motor 103 for controlling the movement of theupper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12 is connected to themicrocomputer 89. The driving motor 103 comprises a stepping motor, andcontrols the movement of the upper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzlelink 12 through the driving mechanism on the basis of a driving signalinput from the microcomputer 89. The microcomputer 89 controls thedriving motor 103 so as to enable complicated motions of the uppernozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12, for example, change of themoving speed of the upper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12,temporarily stop of the upper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link12, etc.

In this embodiment, the microcomputer 89, the driving motor 103, therespective nozzle links, etc. are cooperated with one another tofunction as a jetting unit for jetting washing water to the head portionwhich is laid so as to protrude in the enclosed space 8 b.

As shown in FIG. 11, the mist generator 90 has a mist generatorcontroller 160. The mist generator controller 160 concentricallycontrols the respective parts of the mist generator 90, and has CPU,ROM, RAM and other peripheral circuits. A detection signal from the mistthermistor 90 is input to the mist thermistor 90 d. Furthermore, theheater 90 c, the ultrasonic generator 90 f, a fan 90 g, etc. areconnected as control targets to the mist generator controller 160.

The microcomputer 89 and the mist generator controller 160 are connectedto each other through an interface unit 99, and they can communicatewith each other in conformity with a predetermined communicationprotocol.

In this embodiment, the microcomputer 89 and the mist generatorcontroller 160 are cooperated with each other to control both theautomatic hair washing machine 1 and the mist generator 90.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the operation panel 60.

As shown in FIG. 12, a power supply switch 220 disposed at the upperleft side of the operation panel 60 turns on/off the power source of theautomatic hair washing machine 1.

A tank temperature adjusting switch 221 disposed at the right side ofthe power supply switch 220 is used to set the temperature of waterstocked in the warm water stocking tank 25. The set temperature set byoperating the tank temperature adjusting switch 221 is displayed on aset temperature display panel 226 such as a liquid crystal display panelor the like which is formed between the power supply switch 220 and thetank temperature adjusting switch 221. The microcomputer 89 controls themotor 20 to adjust the opening/closing state of the mixing valve 15 andadjust the mixing ratio between water and hot water so that thetemperature of water stocked in the warm water stocking tank 25 is equalto a set temperature. A heater may be provided in the warm waterstocking tank 25 to adjust the temperature of water stocked in the warmwater stocking tank 25 by the heater.

A hot water supply switch 222 for instructing stock of water into thewarm water stocking tank 25 is disposed below the power supply switch220. A tank water discharging switch 223 for instructing discharge ofwater stocked in the warm water stocking tank 25 is disposed at theright side of the hot water supply switch 222, and a use-up switch 224for instructing use-up of water stocked in the warm water stocking tank25 is disposed at the right side of the tank water discharge switch 223.Furthermore, an initial water discharge switch 225 for instructingdischarge of water trapped in the suction pipe 33, the branch paths 46,47, 75, 48 (that is, water which may be cooled) from each nozzle link isdisposed at the lower side of the hot water supply switch 222.

A container selecting area 228 is formed at the right side of theinitial water discharge switch 225, and plural container selectingswitches 229 are disposed in the container selecting area 228. Thesecontainer selecting switches 229 are provided to select which one ofplural containers containing the shampoo container 34 and theconditioner container 36 should be used to use desired cleaning agent ineach operation step (described later) contained in a course when acourse operation described later is executed.

A full-course switch 230 is disposed at the lower left side of thecontainer selecting area 228. The full-course switch 230 is a switch forselecting, as a cleaning operation course to be executed, “full course”which is one of cleaning operation courses (hereinafter referred to as“operation courses”).

The operation course has predetermined operation steps which arearranged in a predetermined order. When execution of some operationcourse is instructed, a series of operation steps contained in theselected operation course are executed in order.

For example, the operation course contains a shampoo step of washing thehead portion of a user with washing water containing shampoo liquid, aconditioning step of conditioning the head portion of a user withwashing water containing conditioner liquid, a rinsing step of rinsingthe head portion of a user with washing water containing no cleaningagent (i.e., with only water), etc.

In this embodiment, plural operation courses having different contents(full course, powerful course, scalp care course, hair care course I,hair care course II, etc.) are prepared.

A shampoo switch 231 as a switch for selecting the shampoo step forwashing the head of a user with washing water containing shampoo liquidas an operation step to be executed is disposed at the right side of thefull-course switch 230, and a conditioning switch 232 for selecting theconditioning step for conditioning the head portion of a user withwashing water containing conditioner liquid as an operation step to beexecuted is disposed at the right side of the shampoo switch 231.Furthermore, a rinsing switch 233 for selecting the rinsing step forrinsing the head portion of a user with washing water containing nocleaning liquid as an operation step to be executed is disposed belowthe shampoo switch 231.

In this embodiment, it is possible to arbitrarily instruct execution ofonly any one of the shampoo step, the conditioning step and the rinsingstep.

Furthermore, A powerful course switch 234 for selecting the powerfulcourse as an operation course to be executed is disposed at the rightside of the rinsing step switch 233.

Furthermore, a delicate switch 236 is disposed at the right side of thepowerful course switch 234. The delicate switch 236 is a switch operatedwhen the hair of a person whose hair is damaged or easily entangled iswashed. When the delicate switch 236 is operated, the hair of a personis washed according to a hair washing manner which is suitable for aperson whose hair is damaged or easily entangled.

The scalp care switch 238 is a switch for selecting the scalp carecourse as an operation course to be executed, and the hair care switch239 is a switch for selecting the hair care course I or the hair carecourse II as an operation course to be executed. The scalp care course,the hair care course I and the hair care course II will be describedlater.

A hair length selecting switch 241 is disposed below the scalp careswitch 238 and the hair care switch 239. The hair length selectingswitch 241 is a switch for selecting the length of the hair of the user.In this embodiment, the length of the hair is sectioned into fourstages, and any one of the four stages is selectable. The microcomputer89 controls the movement of each nozzle link in accordance with thelength of the hair, and also controls the jetting pressure of washingwater to be jetted from the nozzle links.

A remaining time display panel 242 is formed below the hair lengthselecting switch 241, and a remaining time adjusting switch 243 isdisposed at the right side of the remaining time display panel 242.

When an operation course is executed, a remaining time until theexecution of the operation course is finished is displayed on theremaining time display panel 242, and when execution of one operationstep is instructed, a remaining time until the operation step concernedis finished is displayed on the remaining time display panel 242. Theremaining time adjusting switch 243 is a switch operated when theremaining time is extended or shortened.

A water pressure adjusting switch 244 is disposed below the remainingtime adjusting switch 243. The water pressure adjusting switch 244 is aswitch for adjusting the jetting pressure of washing water to be jettedfrom each nozzle link.

A start/stop instructing switch 245 is disposed below the water pressureadjusting switch 244.

In a case where one operation course is selected as an operation courseto be executed or in a case where execution of one operation step isinstructed as an operation step to be executed, the start/stopinstructing switch 245 is a switch operated when the execution of theoperation course is actually started or when start of the one operationcourse is actually instructed. When the start/stop instructing switch245 is operated, execution of the operation associated with theoperation course or the operation associated with the one operation stepis started. Furthermore, the start/stop instructing switch 245 isoperated when the operation is temporarily stopped during the executionof the operation associated with the operation course or the operationassociated with one operation step. When the start/stop instructingswitch 245 is operated during operation of the automatic hair washingmachine 1, the operation of the automatic hair washing machine 1 istemporarily interrupted, and when the start/stop instructing switch 245is operated again, the operation of the automatic hair washing machine 1is resumed.

Next, the operation of automatic hair washing machine 1 and the mistgenerator 90 from the time when the automatic hair washing machine 1 andthe mist generator 90 are powered on till any one of the pluraloperation courses is selected and the selected operation course isstarted to be executed will be described with reference to theflowchart.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the above operation.

The mist generator 90 is powered on (step SA1) and also the automatichair washing machine 1 is powered on (step SA2) by a user (staff of ashop, a person whose hair is washed or the like). As described above, inthis embodiment, the automatic hair washing machine 1 and the mistgenerator 90 are designed as separate apparatuses, and power is suppliedto each of the apparatuses from different power sources. Accordingly,each of the apparatus is individually powered on.

The automatic hair washing machine 1 and the mist generator 90 aredesigned as separate apparatuses. Therefore, when the automatic hairwashing machine 1 is required to have a function of spraying mist, themist generator 90 may be connected to the automatic hair washing machine1 to add the mist spraying function to the automatic hair washingmachine 1. Furthermore, when the automatic hair washing machine 1 is notrequired to have the function concerned, the mist generator 90 is notconnected to the automatic hair washing machine 1. There is a tendencythat a mechanism for generating mist is designed as a relatively largemechanism, and thus an automatic hair washing machine 1 which does notthe mist spraying function can be prevented from being needlessly largein size.

It is needless to say that a mist generating mechanism for generatingmist is miniaturized and then installed in the automatic hair washingmachine 1.

When the automatic hair washing machine 1 is powered on, themicrocomputer 89 of the automatic hair washing machine 1 communicateswith the mist generator controller 160 on the basis of a predeterminedprotocol to acquire information concerning the state of each part of themist generator 90 (step SA3). Here, the information concerning each partof the mist generator 90 contain information representing whether themist generator 90 is set to a state that it can normally generate mistand also normally supply the generated mist to the sink 2 of theautomatic hair washing machine 1 and information representing whatfactor makes it impossible to normally supply mist when the mist cannotbe normally supplied. As the factor which makes it impossible tonormally supply mist, there is a situation that the mist generator 90 isnot powered on, a situation that no water is stocked in the mist tank 90a, a situation that error occurs in some equipment such as theultrasonic generator 90 f or the like, or the like.

Subsequently, an instruction for selecting any operation course as anoperation course to be executed is input to the microcomputer 89 (stepSA4). As described above, the user operates any switch of thefull-course switch 230, the powerful course switch 234, the scalp careswitch 238 and the hair care switch 239 of the operation panel 60 toselect an operation course to be executed.

In this embodiment, the full course and the powerful course do notcontain the mist spraying operation, and the scalp care course, the haircare course I and the hair care course II contain the mist sprayingoperation. In the following description, the scalp care course, the haircare course I and the hair care course II are conceptually referred toas “mist interlocking course”.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 determines whether the operationcourse input in step SA4 is the mist interlocking course (=scalp carecourse, the hear care course I or the hair care course II) (step SA5).When the operation course input in step SA4 is not the mist interlockingcourse (step SA5; NO), the microcomputer 89 shifts the processing tostep SA9.

When the operation course input in step SA4 is the mist interlockingcourse (step SA5; YES), the microcomputer 89 determines on the basis ofthe information acquired in step SA3 whether the mist generator 90 isset to the state that it can normally supply mist to the automatic hairwashing machine 1 (step SA6).

When the mist generator 90 is not set to the state that it cannotnormally supply mist to the automatic hair washing machine 1 (step SA6;NO), the microcomputer 89 informs this fact (step SA7).

For example, the microcomputer 89 performs a predetermined displayrepresenting occurrence of some error in the mist generator 90 on theset temperature display panel 226, whereby it is informed to the userthat the mist generator 90 falls into the state that it cannot normallysupply mist. In this case, the user refers to the display content of theset temperature display panel 226 to recognize occurrence of some errorin the mist generator 90, and can take a countermeasure to overcome thiserror (for example, when the mist generator 90 is not powered on, thepower is turned on or the like) on the basis of this recognition.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step SA6 that the mistgenerator 90 is set to the state that it can normally supply mist to theautomatic hair washing machine 1 (step sA6; YES), the microcomputer 89outputs information indicating the input operation course to the mistgenerator 90 (step SA8), and shifts the processing to step SA9.

In step SA9, the microcomputer determines whether the operation courseinput in step SA4 is the mist interlocking course or not (step SA10).

When the operation course input in step SA4 is the mist interlockingcourse (step SA10; YES), the microcomputer 89 transmits informationindicating start of the operation to the mist generator 90 with theoperation of the start/stop instructing switch 245 as a trigger (stepSA11), and shifts the processing to step SA12.

On the other hand, when the operation course input in step SA4 is notthe mist interlocking course (step SA10; NO), the microcomputer 89shifts the processing to step SA12.

In step SA12, the microcomputer 89 starts to execute the operationcourse input in step SA4.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 determines whether the operationcourse input in step SA4 is the mist interlocking course or not (stepSA13). When the operation course input in step SA4 is the mistinterlocking course, that is, when the operation course input in stepSA4 corresponds to any one of the scalp care course, the hair carecourse I and the hair care course II (step SA13; YES), the microcomputer89 cooperates with the mist generator controller 160 to control therespective parts of the automatic hair washing machine 1 and the mistgenerator 90 in conformity with the corresponding operation course andexecutes the corresponding operation course (step SA14). The operationof the step SA14 will be described in detail.

On the other hand, when the operation course input in step SA4 is notthe mist interlocking course, that is, when the operation course inputin step SA4 is any one of the full course and the powerful course (stepSA13; NO), the microcomputer 89 controls the respective parts of theautomatic hair washing machine 1 in conformity with the correspondingoperation course and executes the corresponding operation course (stepSA15). The details of the operation of the step SA15 are omitted.

Next, the detailed operation of the automatic hair washing machine 1 andthe mist generator 90 when the scalp care course is executed will bedescribed with reference to the flowchart.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic hairwashing machine 1 and the mist generator 90 when the scalp care courseis executed.

In this scalp care course, the first operation step and the lastoperation step out of a series of operation steps constitute a mist stepof spraying mist. An effect obtained by this step arrangement will bedescribed later.

First, as shown in FIG. 14, execution of the scalp care course isstarted (step SB1).

First, the scalp care switch 238 is operated to select the scalp carecourse as an operation course to be executed, the cover 8 is closedunder the state that the head portion of a user (a person whose hair iswashed) is laid in the sink 2, and then the start/stop instructingswitch 245 is operated. Upon execution of these operations as a trigger,the execution of the scalp care course is started.

As described above, when the cover 8 is closed under the state that thehead portion of the user is laid in the sink 2, the cut-out portion 8 ais closed by the head portion, and the substantially hermetically sealedenclosed space 8 b (FIG. 4) is formed in the space surrounded by thesink 2 and the cover 8, and the head portion is laid to protrude intothe enclosed space 8 b.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 starts the mist step (step SB2). Thatis, in the scalp care course, the mist step containing the spray of mistis the first operation step. In other words, in the scalp care course,the mist step is executed before a shampoo step and a rinsing step (astep of jetting washing water) described later.

Here, the mist step will be described in detail.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic hairwashing machine 1 and the mist generator 90 when the mist step isexecuted.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the mist step is started (step SC1), themicrocomputer 89 controls the main pump 32 through the inverter 64 tojet washing water from each nozzle link under very weak jetting pressure(step SC2). This jetting of the washing water is continued while themist is sprayed. Here, the very weak jetting pressure is set to theextent that the washing water jetted from each nozzle link does notreach the head portion laid in the sink 2. Furthermore, the mixing valve15 is controlled to control the temperature of water stocked in the warmwater stocking tank 25 so that the temperature of washing water jettedfrom each nozzle link is relatively high.

The operation of this step SC2 has the following purpose.

That is, when the scalp care course is started, the temperature of theenclosed space 8 b surrounded by the sink 2 and the cover 8 is low insome cases, and also the surface temperature of the sink 2 and theenclosed space 8 b side of the cover 8 are low in some cases. When mistis filled in the enclosed space 8 b under the state that the temperatureof the enclosed space 8 b or the surface temperature of the sink 2 andthe cover 8 is low, the temperature of the mist is reduced, so that thetreatment effect and the relaxation effect based on the mist may belowered. In consideration of this demerit, the operation of the step SC2aims to increase the temperature of the enclosed space 8 b and thesurface temperature of the sink 2 and the cover 8 before mist issupplied into the enclosed space 8 b of the sink 2.

After the treatment of the step SC2, the microcomputer 89 outputs a mistspraying processing command to the mist generator controller 160 (stepSC3). The mist spray processing command is a command for instructingstart of execution of a series of processing associated with supply ofmist to the automatic hair washing machine 1.

The mist generator controller 160 to which the mist spray processingcommand is input controls each part of the mist generator 90 to executemist spray preparation processing (step SC4).

Specifically, the mist generator controller 160 drives the heater 90 cto heat water stocked in the mist tank 90 a. When it is detected on thebasis of the detection value input from the mist thermistor 90 d thatthe temperature of water stocked in the mist tank 90 a reaches apredetermined temperature (for example, 75° C.), the mist generatorcontroller 160 stops the operation of the heater 90 c. This series ofoperations executed until the water stocked in the mist tank 90 a isincreased to the predetermined temperature corresponds to the mist spraypreparation processing.

A mist temperature range in which the treatment effect and therelaxation effect can be effectively brought out is known, and thepredetermined temperature described above is set to a proper value sothat the temperature of mist supplied into the sink 2 falls into thetemperature range concerned.

During the execution of the mist spray preparation processing in stepSC4, the mist generator controller 160 monitors whether the mist spraypreparation processing is finished or not (step SC5).

When the mist spray preparation processing is finished (step SC5; YES),the mist generator controller 160 starts to spray mist into the enclosedspace 8 b of the sink 2 (step SC6).

Specifically, the mist generator controller 160 drives the ultrasonicgenerator 90 f to ultrasonically vibrate water supplied from the misttank 90 a to the ultrasonic generator 90 f and atomize the water,thereby generating mist. In addition, the mist generator controller 160drives the fan 90 g to feed the mist generated by the ultrasonicgenerator 90 f through the mist feeding pipe 91 into the enclosed space8 b of the sink 2. Accordingly, the mist is passed through the mistfeeding pipe 91 and the mist discharge pipe 101 and supplied from themist discharge port 102 into the sink 2.

At the same time when the spray of mist is started in step SC6, themicrocomputer 89 count downs the time until a predetermined time set asa mist executing time for which the mist step is executed is finished(elapses). That is, the microcomputer 89 counts the remaining time untilthe mist step is finished (step SC7).

The predetermined time as the mist executing time is properly set inaccordance with the relationship between the degree of attainment of thetreatment effect and the relaxation effect and the time for which mistis sprayed, and particularly in this embodiment, it is set to at least30 seconds.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 monitors whether such abnormalitythat it is impossible to continue spraying of mist (step SC8) occurs inthe mist generator 90, and also monitors whether the remaining timereaches 30 seconds (step SC9).

The microcomputer 89 detects whether such abnormality that it isimpossible to continue spraying of mist occurs as follows. That is, themist generator controller 160 monitors the state (temperature, amount)of water stocked in the mist tank 90 a, the operation state of theultrasonic generator 90 f or the like at all times, and detects suchabnormality that it is impossible to continue spraying of mist occurswhen it detects abnormal increase of the temperature of water stocked inthe mist tank 90 a, an abnormal operation of the ultrasonic generator 90f or the like. when detecting that such abnormality that it isimpossible to continue spraying of mist occurs, the mist generatorcontroller 160 outputs a signal representing this fact to themicrocomputer 89. On the basis of the signal input from the mistgenerator controller 160, the microcomputer 89 detects that suchabnormality that it is impossible to continue spraying of mist occurs.

When such abnormality that it is impossible to continue spraying of mistoccurs in the mist generator 90 during the monitoring in steps SC8 andSC9 (step SC8; YES), the microcomputer finishes the mist step (stepSC11). After the mist step is finished, a break-in step is executed (seeFIG. 14).

It may be informed to a user that such abnormality that it is impossibleto continue spraying of mist occurs.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when such abnormalitythat it is impossible to continue spraying of mist occurs in the mistgenerator 90 during spraying of mist, the operation of the automatichair washing machine 1 is not stopped, but the processing associatedwith the spray of mist is omitted and the operation of the automatichair washing machine 1 is continued. This is executed in considerationof the following matter. That is, the spray of mist is an additionalfunction as compared with the shampoo step and the conditioning stepdescribed later, and thus even when the spray of mist is not executed,the degree of satisfaction of the user is not relatively lost.Therefore, the operation of the automatic hair washing machine 1 iscontinued with omitting the spray of mist, whereby the operation coursecan be smoothly and surely executed and the convenience for users can beenhanced.

When abnormality occurs in the mist generator 90, the operation of theautomatic hair washing machine 1 may be temporarily stopped.

When the remaining time reaches 30 seconds in step SC9 (step SC9; YES),the microcomputer 89 executes the massage operation (step SC12).

This massage operation aims to bring a constant massage effect to theuser (person whose hair is washed). For example, the microcomputer 89controls various kinds of valves to jet washing water from a head topmassage nozzle 150, a right side head massage nozzle 151 and a left sidehead massage nozzle 152 so that the washing water is jetted to the headtop portion and the right and left side head portions. Here, warm wateris used as the washing water to be jetted. As described above, warmwater is concentrically jetted to the head top portion and the side headportions of the user, whereby the massage effect can be effectivelyattained.

When washing water is jetted from each nozzle, the water washing may beintermittently jetted or jetted while the jetting pressure is varied inmagnitude. It is expected by executing these operations that a highermassage effect can be achieved.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 monitors whether the remaining timeis nullified or not (the remaining time=0 second) (step SC14) whilemonitoring whether such abnormality that it is impossible to continuespray of mist occurs in the mist generator 90 (step SC13).

When it is detected in step SC13 that whether such abnormality that itis impossible to continue spray of mist occurs in the mist generator 90(step SC13; YES), the microcomputer 89 finishes the mist step (stepSC11).

When the remaining time is nullified (step SC14; YES), the microcomputer89 controls the inverter 64 and the respective valves to stop themassage operation, and cooperates with the mist generator controller 160to stop the spray of mist (step SC15), thereby stopping the execution ofthe mist step (step SC11).

As described above, according to this embodiment, after the remainingtime reaches 30 seconds, the mist spray and the jetting of washing waterfrom each nozzle link in connection with the massage operation aresimultaneously executed in parallel.

This operation can be performed because the head portion is laid toprotrude into the enclosed space 8 b of the sink 2, washing water isjetted from each nozzle link to the head portion in the enclosed space 8b and also mist is sprayed into the enclosed space 8 b. When the sprayof mist and the jetting of washing water from each nozzle link inconnection with the massage operation are executed simultaneously inparallel to each other, the relaxation effect and the treatment effectcaused by mist and the massage effect based on the massage operation canbe simultaneously brought to the user, and the degree of attainment ofthese effects can be synergistically enhanced.

Furthermore, it is known that when mist is sprayed to the head portionof the user, it brings an effect of making the pores of the head portionopen. In this embodiment, the opening of the pores of the head portioncaused by mist and the jetting of washing water to the head portion inconnection with the massage operation can be simultaneously performed,and the massage effect can be more greatly enhanced.

Furthermore, in the scalp care course, the mist step is executed priorto the shampoo step described later, whereby the following effect can beattained.

That is, as described above, when mist is sprayed to the head portion ofthe user, it brings the effect that the pores of the head portion isopened. Accordingly, the mist step is executed to make the pores of thehead portion open before the shampoo step, whereby sebum smudge of thepores can be effectively eliminated by jetting washing water containingshampoo liquid in the subsequent shampoo step.

Furthermore, the relaxation effect can be brought to the user by jettingmist. By bringing this relaxation effect to the user at the first halfof the scalp care course, the user can be relaxed during the scalp carecourse.

As shown in FIG. 14, after the mist step of the step SB2 is finished,the microcomputer 89 executes the running-in step (step SB3).

This running-in step is an operation step which aims to make the userfamiliar with jetting of washing water to his/her head portion so thatthe user is relaxed.

In the running-in step, the microcomputer 89 moves the upper nozzle link11 and the lower nozzle link 12 at a very slow speed while jettingwashing water under relatively weak jetting pressure, for example.Accordingly, the user feels as if he/she is gently stroked by a human'shand, and thus the user is made to have a feeling of safety.Furthermore, washing water is jetted while each nozzle link is moved ata slow speed in the running-in step which is a step immediately afterthe scalp care course is started, whereby the user can cast aside such afeeling that his/her hair is washed by a machine without surprising theuser, so that the user has a high-class feeling.

Furthermore, the microcomputer 89 controls the neck nozzle valve 74,etc. to jet washing water from the neck nozzle link 80 to the user'sneck. Here, warm water is used as washing water to be jetted. By jettingwarm water to the neck of the user as described above, the user has goodblood flow at the neck and thus the tension of the overall head portionis loosened, so that the massage effect can be enhanced.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 executes a weak washing step (stepSB4).

The weak washing step is an operation step of washing out smudge (dirt,dust, etc.) attached to hair to some extent with washing watercontaining neither shampoo liquid nor conditioner liquid (hereinafterreferred to as “rinsing step water”) before a first shampoo step as thenext operation step is executed.

In this weak washing step, the microcomputer 89 moves the upper nozzlelink 11 and the lower nozzle link 12 at a relatively high speed whilejetting washing water under relatively high jetting pressure, wherebythe rinsing water is jetted to the overall area of the head portion andthe hair and the smudge attached to the head portion can be washed outto some degree.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 executes the first shampoo step (stepSB5).

The first shampoo step is a step of washing the head of the user withwashing water containing shampoo liquid (hereinafter referred to as“shampoo washing water”). The microcomputer 89 controls the shampoo pump38 to mix washing water with shampoo liquid, thereby generating shampoowashing water.

In the first shampoo step, for example, the microcomputer 89 moves theupper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12 at a relatively highspeed while jetting shampoo washing water under relatively high jettingpressure, whereby the shampoo washing water is jetted to the overallarea of the head portion and the hair. Accordingly, the shampoo washingwater prevails over the whole area of the head portion, whereby the hairof the overall area of the head portion is washed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the upper nozzle link11 and the lower nozzle link 12 can make complicated motions, forexample, they are moved synchronously with each other while the movingspeed is changed, they are temporarily stopped after moving in a fixedrange or they are iteratively moved in a predetermined range. Therefore,by utilizing these complicated motions, the shampoo washing water isconcentrically jetted to a predetermined portion of the head portion,and each nozzle link is moved while reciprocating in a predeterminedrange, whereby the hair of the head portion is washed while the washingefficiency and washing effect of the head portion are enhanced and themassage effect is enhanced. The same operation may be applied to theother operation steps containing jetting of washing water.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 executes a first rinsing step (stepSB6).

This first rinsing step is an operation step of washing out (rinsing)shampoo washing water which is jetted to the head portion in the firstshampoo step and remains on the head portion and the hair.

In the first rinsing step, the microcomputer 89 moves the upper nozzlelink 11 and the lower nozzle link 12 at a relatively high speed whilejetting rinsing step water under relatively high jetting pressure,whereby rinsing step water is jetted to the overall area of the headportion and the hair, thereby washing out the shampoo washing waterremaining on the head portion and the hair.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 executes a second shampoo step (stepSB7).

The second shampoo step aims to execute hair washing on the head portionwhich has been cleaned to some extent because it has been subjected tothe first shampoo step and the second rinsing step, whereby the hair ofthe head portion is washed more accurately.

In the second shampoo step, for example, the microcomputer 89 moves theupper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12 at a relatively highspeed while jetting shampoo washing water under relatively high jettingpressure so that the shampoo washing water is jetted to the over area ofthe head portion and the hair. Accordingly, the shampoo washing waterprevails over the overall area of the head portion and the whole area ofthe head portion is washed.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 executes a finishing rinsing step(step SB8).

This finishing rinsing step is an operation step of washing out shampoowashing water which has been jetted to the head portion in the secondshampoo step and has remained on the head portion and the head. In thefinishing rinsing step, for example, the microcomputer 89 moves theupper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12 at a relatively highspeed while jetting rinsing step water under relatively high jettingpressure so that rinsing water is jetted to the overall area of the headportion and the hair, thereby washing out the shampoo washing waterremaining on the head portion and the hair.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 executes the massage step (step SB9).

This massage operation aims to bring a constant massage effect to theuser. For example, the microcomputer 89 controls the various kinds ofvalves, etc. to jet washing water from the head top massage nozzle 150,the right side head massage nozzle 151 and the left side head massagenozzle 152 so that the washing water is jetted to the head top portionand the right and left side head portions. Here, warm water is used asthe washing water to be jetted. As described above, warm water isconcentrically jetted to the head top portion and the side head portionsof the user, whereby the massage effect can be effectively attained.

When washing water is jetted from each nozzle, the water washing may beintermittently jetted or jetted while the jetting pressure is varied inmagnitude. It is expected by executing these operations that a highermassage effect can be achieved.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 cooperates with the mist generatorcontroller 160 to start spray of mist (step SB10).

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 executes a conditioning step (stepSB11).

The conditioning step is an operation step of jetting washing watercontaining conditioner liquid (hereinafter referred to as “conditionerwashing water”) to the head portion and the hair of the user, therebyconditioning the hair of the user.

In this conditioning step, for example, the microcomputer 89 moves theupper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12 at a relatively highspeed while jetting conditioner washing water under relatively highjetting pressure so that the conditioner washing water is jetted to theoverall area of the head portion and the hair, whereby the conditionerwashing water prevails over the overall area of the head portion and theoverall area of the head portion is conditioned.

In step SB10, spray of mist is started, and thus this conditioning stepis executed simultaneously with and in parallel to the mist spray.

Here, it is known that when mist is sprayed to the head portion of auser, an effect that the cuticle of the hair is opened is obtained.Accordingly, according to this embodiment, the spray of mist and theconditioning step are executed simultaneously and in parallel, and thusthe opening of the cuticle of hair by the mist and the jetting of theconditioner washing water to the head portion can be performedsimultaneously, and thus the conditioning effect can be more greatlyenhanced.

Furthermore, this embodiment is configured so that the head portion islaid to protrude into the enclosed space 8 b of the sink 2, washingwater is jetted from each nozzle link to the head portion in theenclosed space 8 b and mist is sprayed into the enclosed space 8 b, andthus the spray of mist and the conditioning step can be executedsimultaneously and in parallel.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 executes a final rinsing step (stepSB12).

This final rinsing step is an operation step of lightly washing out(rinsing) conditioner washing water which has been jetted to the headportion in the conditioning step and remained on the head portion andthe hair.

In the final rinsing step, for example, the microcomputer 89 moves theupper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12 while jetting rinsingwater under relatively weak jetting pressure so that the rinsing stepwater is jetted to the overall area of the head portion and the hair,whereby the conditioner washing water remaining on the head portion andthe hair is lightly washed out.

In this step SB10, the spray of mist is started, and thus this finalrinsing step is executed simultaneously with and in parallel to thespray of mist.

Here, ad described above, when mist is sprayed, it makes the user feelrelaxed. Accordingly, by executing spray of mist during the finalrinsing step, the final rinsing step can be executed while the user isrelaxed. In this embodiment, the head portion is laid to protrude intothe enclosed space 8 b, the washing water is jetted from each nozzlelink to the head portion in the enclosed space 8 b, and mist is sprayedinto the enclosed space 8 b, and this enables the spray of mist and thefinal rinsing step to be performed simultaneously and in parallel.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 stops the spray of mist (step SB13),and finishes the scalp care course (step SB14).

As described above, in the scalp care course, the mist spray is executedat the last stage of the operation step. Accordingly, the followingeffect can be attained.

That is, the spray of mist brings the relaxation effect to the user, andby spraying mist at the last half of the scalp care course, the user forwhich the scalp care course is completed can be relaxed, and alsofatigue of the user can be moderated.

Next, the detailed operation of the automatic hair washing machine 1 andthe mist generator 90 when the hair care course I or the hair carecourse II is executed will be described with reference to flowcharts.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the automatic hairwashing machine 1 and the mist generator 90 when the hair care course Ior the hair care course II is executed.

As shown in FIG. 16, execution of the hair care course I or the haircare course II is first started (step SD1).

The execution of the hair care course I or the hair care course II isstarted by executing the following operation as a trigger.

That is, the hair care switch 239 is operated to select the hair carecourse I or the hair care course II as an operation course to beexecuted, and also the cover 8 is closed and the start/stop instructingswitch 245 is operated under the state that the head portion of a useris laid in the sink 2.

As described above, when the cover 8 is closed under the state that thehead portion of the user is laid in the sink 2, the cut-out portion 8 ais closed by the head portion, the substantially hermetically sealedenclosed space 8 b (FIG. 4) is formed in the space surrounded by thesink 2 and the cover 8, and the head portion is laid to protrude intothe enclosed space 8 b.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 executes each of the operation stepssuch as the running-in step (step SD2), the weak washing step (stepSD3), the first shampoo step (step D4), the first rinsing step (stepSD5), the second shampoo step (step SD6) and the finishing rinsing step(step SD7).

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 executes each operation step in themassage step (step SD81), and it cooperates with the mist generatorcontroller 160 at some midpoint of the execution of the massage step tostart spray of mist (step SD82).

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 determines whether the selectedoperation course is the hair care course I or the hair care course II(step SD9).

When the selected operation course is the hair care course I (step SD9;hair care course I), the microcomputer 89 executes the conditioning step(step SD11), and shifts the processing to SD14.

As described above, in the hair care course I, the mist spray and theconditioning step are executed simultaneously and in parallel. Here, asdescribed above, it is known that when mist is sprayed to the headportion of a user, an effect that the cuticle of the hair is opened isobtained. Accordingly, according to the hair care course I, the spray ofmist and the conditioning step are executed simultaneously and inparallel, and thus the opening of the cuticle of hair by the mist andthe jetting of the conditioner washing water to the head portion can beperformed simultaneously, and thus the conditioning effect can be moregreatly enhanced.

On the other hand, when the selected operation course is the hair carecourse II (step SD9; hair care course II), the microcomputer 89temporarily stops the operation of the automatic hair washing machine 1(step SD12).

During this temporary stop, a user (in this case, this user may be aperson such as a beautician or the like who can supply various kinds ofservices such as treatment of the head portion, etc. to the user (theperson whose hair is washed), and thus may be another person from theuser whose hair is washed) may perform a hair treatment on the headportion of the user by his/her hands. Thereafter, the user closes thecover 8 and operates the start/stop instructing switch 245 (step SD13).

After the temporary stop, the microcomputer 89 shifts the processing tostep SD14 upon operation of the start/stop instructing switch 245 as atrigger.

In step SD14, the microcomputer 89 executes the mist step. In the miststep of the step SD14, the microcomputer 89 continues to execute thespray of mist without stopping the spray of mist in step SC15 even whenthe remaining time is nullified (step SC; YES) as shown in FIG. 15.

Furthermore, as described above with reference to FIG. 15, in such asituation that some error occurs in the mist generator and thus it isimpossible to supply mist during execution of the mist step, the miststep is omitted, and the final rinsing step as the next step (step SD15)is executed.

As described above, in the hair care course I, the mist step is executedafter the conditioning step, and in the hair care course II, the miststep is executed after the treatment based on a human work. Accordingly,the components of the conditioner which is jetted in the conditioningstep and the components of the treatment liquid in the treatment stepinfiltrate into the hair more effectively due to the opening of thecuticle based on mist spray in the mist step, whereby the conditioningeffect and the treatment effect can be more greatly enhanced.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 executes the final rinsing step (stepSD15).

In step SD14, the mist spray is not stopped, and thus the final rinsingstep is executed simultaneously with and in parallel to the mist spray.

Here, as described above, when mist is sprayed, the user can be relaxed.Furthermore, by executing the mist spray during the final rinsing step,the final rinsing step can be also executed while the user is relaxed.In this embodiment, the head portion is laid to protrude into theenclosed space 8 b of the sink 2, the washing water is jetted from eachnozzle link to the head portion in the enclosed space 8 b and mist isjetted into the enclosed space 8 b, whereby the mist spray and the finalrinsing step can be executed simultaneously in parallel.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 89 cooperates with the mist generatorcontroller 160 to stop the mist spray (step SD16) and finish the haircare course I or the hair care course II (step SD17).

As described above, in the hair care course II, an operation ofexecuting treatment on the hair by user's (beautician's or the like)hand skill immediately after the mist spray and then executing mistspray immediately after the treatment concerned can be performed. On theother hand, it has been difficult for a user (beautician or the like) toperform such an operation by his/her hand.

As described above, the microcomputer 89 and the mist generatorcontroller 160 cooperate with each other to perform various operationscontaining the mist spray, whereby the mist spray and the otheroperations can be continuously performed. This effect can be attained inthe other operation courses.

As described above, the automatic hair washing machine 1 according tothis embodiment has the sink 2 in which the head portion of the user islaid, the upper nozzle link 11 for jetting washing water to the headportion laid in the sink 2, and the lower nozzle link 12. Furthermore,the automatic hair washing machine 1 has the mist generator 90 forgenerating mist, and the mist feeding pipe 91 through which mistgenerated by the mist generator 90 is introduced. The mist dischargeport 102 formed at the end portion of the mist feeding pipe 91 isexposed to the inside of the sink 2, and the water discharge trap 92 isprovided in the mist feeding pipe 91.

According to this automatic hair washing machine 1, the mist dischargeport 102 is exposed in the sink 2, so that mist can be directly sprayedfrom the mist discharge port 102 to the head portion laid in the sink 2and thus the treatment effect and the relaxation effect can be preventedfrom being deteriorated. Furthermore, the mist discharge port 102 iskept to be exposed, and thus the backflow water flows from the mistdischarge port 102 into the mist feeding pipe 91. However, the backflowwater flowing into the mist feeding pipe 91 can be prevented fromflowing into the mist generator 90 by the function of the waterdischarge trap 92, and thus mist can be smoothly supplied.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mist discharge port 102 is exposedin the sink 2 so that mist can be sprayed to the head portion laid inthe sink 2. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mistdischarge port 102 is provided at the center lower portion of the rearside surface 100 of the sink 2 so that the opening thereof is exposed.Accordingly, atomized mist having a characteristic that it ascends inair is discharged from the mist discharge port 102 so that the mistprevails over the whole area of the head portion of a user who turns up.That is, when the mist is sprayed from the mist discharge port 102provided at the center lower portion of the rear side surface 100 of thesink 2 to the neighborhood of the rear head portion of the user whoturns up, the mist prevails to the overall area of the head portionalong the shape of the head portion while ascending upwardly.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear head portion of the user issupported on the head support net 70 in the sink 2 during the automatichair washing treatment (see FIGS. 2 and 4). In this case, the hair hangsvertically down from the head support net 70. In consideration of thisfact, the mist discharge port 102 is provided at the center lowerportion of the rear side surface 100 of the sink 2, and the mist can besprayed from the side to the hair hanging down in the verticaldirection, so that the mist can be made to suitably prevail over thewhole area of the hair containing the hair hanging down.

In this embodiment, the orientation (i.e., mist jetting direction) ofthe mist discharge port 102 can be changed. Here, the size and shape ofthe head portion is different among persons. Accordingly, the optimumorientation of the mist discharge port 102 formed in the mist dischargepipe 101 is different among persons. The orientation of the mistdischarge port 102 can be optimized in accordance with the user bychanging the orientation of the mist discharge pipe 101 in apredetermined range. Particularly, in this embodiment, the orientationof the mist discharge port 102 of the mist discharge pipe 101 can bechanged by a very simple work of gripping and turning the mist dischargepipe 101. Therefore, the workability is good and the work is completedin short times, so that the convenience for users can be enhanced.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, in connection with occurrence of mistin the mist generator 90, drain water occurring in the mist generator 90is discharged to the outside of the mist generator 90, and the other endof the drain water discharge pipe 97 is connected to the water dischargetrap inlet pipe 93. Accordingly, the drain water discharged from themist generator 90 is arbitrarily supplied to the water discharge trap 92and thus liquid is more surely stocked in the water discharge trap 92.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the exit side of the water dischargetrap 92 is connected to the water discharge pipe 30 of the sink 2.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the other end of the water dischargetrap outlet pipe 98 is connected to the water discharge pipe 30, andliquid which exceeds a predetermined water level in the liquid stockportion 96 of the water discharge trap 92 and flows into the waterdischarge trap outlet pipe 98 flows out through the water discharge trapoutlet pipe 98 to the water discharge pipe 30, and is discharged to theoutside of the machine through the water discharge pipe 30. That is, thebackflow water flowing into the mist feeding pipe 91 and the drain wateroccurring in connection with occurrence of mist in the mist generator 90are discharged to the outside of the machine through the existing waterdischarge pipe 30. As described above, the backflow water and the drainwater are discharged to the outside of the machine by using the existingequipment such as the water discharge pipe 30 of the sink 2. Therefore,as compared with a case where a mechanism for discharging liquid to theoutside of the machine is newly provided, the cost can be reduced andthe facilitation of the manufacturing can be enhanced.

Furthermore, according to the automatic hair washing machine 1 of thisembodiment, when the head portion of a user is laid in the sink 2, theenclosed space 8 b is formed in the sink 2, and the head portion is laidso as to protrude into the enclosed space 8 b. This automatic hairwashing machine 1 is provided with the water jetting unit for jettingwashing water to the head portion laid in the enclosed space 8 b (inthis embodiment, the microcomputer 89, the driving motor 103, eachnozzle link, etc. cooperate with one another to function as the waterjetting unit), and the mist spraying unit for spraying mist into theenclosed space 8 b (in this embodiment, the mist generator 90, the mistdischarge port 102 and the mist feeding pipe 91 cooperate with oneanother to function as the mist spraying unit).

Accordingly, by jetting washing water to the head portion in theenclosed space 8 b, mist can effectively sprayed by utilizing thecharacteristic of the automatic hair washing machine 1 that the headportion is automatically washed by jetting washing water to the headportion in the enclosed space 8 b. That is, in the automatic hairwashing machine 1, the washing water is jetted from each nozzle link towash the head portion of the user. Accordingly, the enclosed space 8 bis formed in the sink 2, and washing water is jetted from each nozzlelink in the enclosed space 8 b to wash the head portion under the statethat the head portion of the user is laid to protrude into the enclosedspace 8 b. In this embodiment, mist is filled in the enclosed space 8 bby using the enclosed space 8 b to spray mist to the head portion of theuser. Therefore, the mist spray can be optimally implemented by usingthe enclosed space 8 b, and mist can be surely brought into contact withthe head portion of the user.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the microcomputer 89 controls therespective parts of the automatic hair washing machine so that thejetting of washing water and the spray of the mist are executedinterlockingly with each other. Accordingly, mist can be sprayed afterwashing water is jetted, or washing water can be jetted after mist issprayed. That is, the mist spray can be executed so as to bring out themist spray effect more effectively by adjusting the timing of thejetting of the washing water.

Still furthermore, in this embodiment, the microcomputer 89 executes thejetting of washing water to the head portion and the mist spraysimultaneously. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, the mist sprayand the jetting of washing water from each nozzle link which is executedin connection with the massage operation are executed simultaneously andin parallel.

A shown in FIG. 14, in the scalp care course, the mist spray, theconditioning step and the rinsing step are executed simultaneously andin parallel.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the hair care course I, the mist spray, theconditioning step and the final rinsing step are executed simultaneouslyand in parallel. In the hair care course II, the mist spray, thetreatment to a user (person whose hair is washed) by a user's hand(staff's hand, beautician's hand or the like) and the final rinsing stepare executed simultaneously and in parallel.

The simultaneous and parallel execution of the jetting of washing waterto the head portion and the mist spray can be performed on theassumption of the construction that the head portion is laid to protrudeinto the enclosed space 8 b of the sink 2, washing water is jetted fromeach nozzle link to the head portion in the enclosed space 8 b and mistis sprayed in the enclosed space 8 b.

When the mist spray and the jetting of washing water are executedsimultaneously and in parallel, by using the relaxation effect based onmist, the treatment effect and the opening of pores caused by mist, therelaxation effect, the treatment effect, the washing effect, the massageeffect, etc. can be effectively brought to the users (persons whose hairis washed).

Furthermore, the automatic hair washing machine 1 according to thisembodiment has the operation panel 60 (instructing unit) for instructionexecution of the operation courses (the scalp care course, the hair carecourse I, the hair care course II) in which plural steps containing atleast the operation steps containing the jetting of washing water (forexample, the first shampoo step, the first rinsing step, theconditioning step, etc.) and the mist step containing the mist spray arearranged in a predetermined order. When execution of any operationcourse is instructed, the microcomputer 89 controls the respective partsof the automatic hair washing machine 1 so that the jetting of washingwater and the mist spray are executed in a predetermined timingcorresponding to the order of each step in the operation courseconcerned.

Accordingly, by executing the operation course, the head portion of theuser can be washed with jetted washing water while the user is broughtwith the relaxation effect based on mist and the massage effect.

The automatic hair washing machine 1 according to this embodiment isconfigured so that washing water mixed with shampoo liquid can bejetted. In the scalp care course, the order to the respective steps isset so that the mist step containing the mist spray is executed prior tothe shampoo step containing the jetting of washing water mixed withshampoo liquid. According to this course, the following effect can beattained.

That is, as described above, when mist is sprayed to the head portion ofthe user, the pores of the head portion is opened. Accordingly, the miststep is executed to open the pores of the head portion in the mist stepbefore the shampoo step is executed, whereby the washing power of sebumsmudge can be enhanced by jetting washing water containing shampooliquid in the subsequent shampoo step.

The automatic hair washing machine 1 according to this embodiment can beconfigured so that washing water mixed with conditioner liquid can bejetted. In the scalp care course, the hair care course I and the haircare course I, the mist spray is executed during execution of theconditioning step containing the jetting of the washing water mixed withthe conditioner liquid.

According to the above operation, the following effect can be attained.

That is, when mist is sprayed to the head portion of the user, thecuticle of the hair is opened. By executing the mist spray and theconditioning step simultaneously and in parallel, the opening of thecuticle caused by the mist spray and the jetting of conditioner washingwater to the head portion are simultaneously performed, whereby theconditioning effect can be enhanced.

Furthermore, in the hair care course I, the mist step after theconditioning step is executed. In the hair care course II, the mist stepis executed after the treatment based on the human's hand. Accordingly,the component of the conditioner jetted in the conditioning step and thecomponent of treatment liquid in the treatment step infiltrate into thehair more greatly in connection with the opening of the cuticle causedby the mist spray in the mist step, whereby the conditioning effect andthe treatment effect can be more enhanced.

The microcomputer 89 is connected to the mist generator controller 160for controlling the mist generator 90 so that communications can beperformed therebetween, and controls the respective parts of theautomatic hair washing machine 1 and the respective parts of the mistgenerator 90 in cooperation with the mist generator controller 160 sothat the jetting of washing water and the spray of mist are executedinterlockingly with each other. Accordingly, even when the automaticwater washing machine 1 and the mist generator 90 are designed asseparate bodies, the jetting of washing water and the spray of mist canbe smoothly and surely executed interlockingly with each other.

The automatic hair washing machine 1 according to this embodiment hasthe upper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12 which jet washingwater to different sites of the head portion, and the upper nozzle link11 and the lower nozzle link 12 are configured to be movable insynchronization with each other through the power transmission mechanism201 connected to a single stepping motor 191.

Accordingly, each of the upper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link12 is moved through the power transmission mechanism 201 connected tothe single stepping motor 191, whereby these nozzle links can be movedsynchronously with each other.

As compared with a case where a stepping motor 191 is provided everynozzle link and these stepping motors 191 are controlled to control themovement of each nozzle link, the number of stepping motors can bereduced, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, aprogram for control can be simplified, and thus the manufacturingfacilitation can be enhanced.

The automatic hair washing machine 1 according to this embodiment hasthe upper nozzle link 11 which is configured to be iteratively movedbetween the head top position T1 corresponding to the head top portionof the head portion laid in the sink 2 and the rear head position T2corresponding to the rear head portion, and the lower nozzle link 12which is configured to be iteratively moved between the hair position T3corresponding to the hair hanging from the head portion laid in the sink2 and the neck position T4 corresponding to the neck. The lower nozzlelink 12 is moved in the direction from the hair position T3 to the neckposition T4 in synchronization with the movement of the upper nozzlelink in the direction from the head top position T1 to the rear headposition T2, and also the lower nozzle link 12 is moved in the directionfrom the neck position T4 to the hair position T3 in synchronizationwith the movement of the upper nozzle link 11 in the direction from therear head position T2 to the head top position T1.

Here, for example, when the upper nozzle link 11 is moved in the samedirection as the hair growing direction while jetting washing water andalso the lower nozzle link is moved in the opposite direction to thehair growing direction while jetting washing water, that is, when themoving directions of the upper and lower nozzle links 11 and 12 withrespect to the hair growing direction are different from each other, theupper and lower nozzle links 11 and 12 jet washing water to the headportion and hair of the user in directions which are different withrespect to the hair growing direction. In this case, there occurs such asituation that the hair is entangled.

However, according to this embodiment, the upper and lower nozzle links11 and 12 are synchronously moved in the same direction with respect tothe hair growing direction. Therefore, the moving directions of theupper and lower nozzle links 11 and 12 with respect to the hair growingdirection are coincident with each other at all times, and thusoccurrence of the situation that the hair is entangled can be prevented.Furthermore, the upper and lower nozzle links 11 and 12 can be surelyprevented from coming into contact with each other during the movementof the upper and lower nozzle links 11 and 13.

Furthermore, the power transmission mechanism 201 has the lower gear 193and the upper gear 196 which rotate according to the driving of thestepping motor 191, and the upper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzlelink 12 can be moved synchronously with each other by using the rotationof these gears in connection with the driving of the stepping motor 191,whereby accurate positioning control can be performed.

As described above, the power transmission mechanism 201 has the lowergear 193 and the upper gear 196, whereby the rotational driving force(power) of the stepping motor 191 can be properly transmitted to theupper and lower nozzle links 11 and 12 through these gears.Particularly, in this embodiment, it is required to rotate the upper andlower nozzle links 11 and 12 synchronously with each other in oppositedirections. Accordingly, under the state that the lower gear 193 and theupper gear 196 are engaged with each other, the lower nozzle link 12 isturned in accordance with rotation of the lower gear 193, and the uppernozzle link 11 is turned in accordance with the rotation of the uppergear 196. Accordingly, the upper and lower nozzle links 11 and 12 can beproperly and surely turned synchronously with each other in the oppositedirections.

In this embodiment, the upper gear 196 is provided with a gear positiondetecting switch 200, and the microcomputer 89 controls the operation ofthe stepping motor 191 on the basis of a detection value of the gearposition detection switch 200.

More specifically, when the upper gear 196 is rotated in the directionof the arrow X so that the upper nozzle link 11 exceeds the head topposition T1 and is further turned in the direction of the arrow E, thecontact point of the gear position detection switch 200 is conducted bya magnet (not shown) provided to the upper gear 196, and a signalindicating this fact is output to a predetermined port of themicrocomputer 89. The microcomputer 89 to which the signal is inputstops the operation of the stepping motor 191, whereby the upper nozzlelink 11 is prevented from exceeding the head top position T1 and beingfurther turned in the direction of the arrow E. At the same time, thelower nozzle link 12 which is moved in synchronization with the uppernozzle link 11 is prevented from exceeding the hair position T3 andbeing further turned in the direction of the arrow F.

Likewise, when the upper gear 196 is turned in the direction of thearrow Y so that the upper nozzle link 11 exceeds the rear head positionT2 and is further turned in the direction of the arrow C, the contactpoint of the gear position detecting switch 200 is conducted by a magnet(not shown) provided to the upper gear 196, and a signal indicating thisfact is output to a predetermined port of the microcomputer 89. Themicrocomputer 89 to which the signal is input stops the operation of thestepping motor 191, whereby the upper nozzle link 11 is prevented fromexceeding the rear head position T2 and being further turned in thedirection of the arrow C. At the same time, the lower nozzle link whichis moved in synchronization with the upper nozzle link 11 is preventedfrom exceeding the neck position T4 and being further turned in thedirection of the arrow D.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 201 isprovided to the left side surface 190 of the sink 2.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the power transmission mechanism201 is provided to the left side surface 190 of the sink 2 so that thesurfaces of the lower gear 193 and the upper gear 196 as discs arearranged along the left side surface 190 of the sink 2. Accordingly, thethickness of the power transmission mechanism 201 can be reduced, andthe power transmission mechanism 201 can be accommodated by effectivelyusing a space at the left side of the left side surface 190 of the sink2, and also miniaturization of the automatic hair washing machine 1 canbe implemented. Furthermore, the output shafts of the lower gear 193 andthe pulley 197 can be made coincident with the rotating shafts of theupper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link 12.

Various modifications and applications can be made on theabove-described embodiment within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the automatic hairwashing machine 1 has the upper nozzle link 11 and the lower nozzle link12, and these nozzle links 11 and 12 cooperate with each other. However,the number of nozzle links and the shapes thereof are not limited tothose of the above embodiment. That is, the present invention is broadlyapplicable to the automatic hair washing machine 1 for supplying mistinto the sink 2.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described.

The automatic hair washing machine 301 according to the secondembodiment has a physical constructional different from the automatichair washing machine 1 according to the first embodiment in that it hasa cleaning agent jetting mechanism 390.

In FIG. 17, reference numeral 301 represents an automatic hair washingmachine according to the second embodiment.

The automatic hair washing machine 301 has a sink 302 in which the headportion of a user (person whose hair is washed) is laid, a sink holdingtable 303 for holding the sink 302, a seat 304 which is disposed infront of the sink holding table 303 and on which the user sits, and aseat holding table 305 for holding the seat 304.

As shown in FIG. 18, the sink 302 is a bowl-shaped member having anopening at the top thereof.

As shown in FIG. 18, the sink 302 is a bowl-shaped member having anopening at the upper side thereof. Ahead support net 370 for supportingthe rear head portion of a user so that the head portion faces theinside of the sink 302 under the state that the user turns up isdisposed at the front portion of the sink 302. Furthermore, a neck table307 is disposed on a front surface portion 302A of the sink 302, and theuser can put his/her neck on the neck table under the state that theuser sits on the seat 304 and turns up so that the rear head portion ismounted on the head support net 370. The opening at the top of the sink302 can be covered by a cover 308. The rear end of the cover 308 islinked to the rear end of the sink 2 through a link portion 309 so as tobe rotatable about the link portion 309 within a vertical plane. Whenhair washing (cleaning) or the like is executed, the user who sits onthe seat 304 puts his/her neck on the neck table 307 while the cover 308is opened, and then the cover 308 is closed, whereby the head portion ofthe user can be laid in the sink 302.

In the sink 302 are arranged the upper nozzle link 311 and the lowernozzle link 312 for jetting cleaning agent liquid or washing water tothe head portion and hair of the user. In this embodiment, the cleaningagent liquid means liquid mixed with shampoo or conditioner liquid, andthe washing water means liquid (water) which is not mixed with anycleaning agent containing shampoo liquid or conditioner liquid. In thefollowing description, when the cleaning liquid and the washing waterare not clearly discriminated from each other, they are arbitrarilyrepresented as “washing water”.

The upper nozzle link 311 comprises a pipe-shaped member which is curvedso as to be convex to the obliquely upper right side in FIG. 18B andhave a substantially arcuate shape along the head portion of the userand has plural nozzles arranged at predetermined intervals. The uppernozzle link 311 is supported at one end (left end) thereof (i.e.,cantilevered) so as to be turnable (swingable) around the one end asindicated by arrows C and E in FIG. 18B so that the washing water can bejetted to the head portion of the user.

The lower nozzle link 312 comprises a pipe-shaped member which is whollydesigned to be substantially M-shaped and curved so as to be convex(arcuate) toward the left side in FIG. 18B at the center portion of theM-shape and has plural nozzles arranged at predetermined intervals. Thelower nozzle link 312 is supported at one end thereof (i.e.,cantilevered) at the lower side of the upper nozzle link 12 so as to beturnable (swingable) around the one end (left end) thereof below theupper nozzle link 311 as indicated by arrows D and F in FIG. 18B. Thelower nozzle link 12 jets washing water toward the rear side thereof towash the user's hair which hangs down from the user's head at the rearside of the lower nozzle link 312. Furthermore, a neck nozzle link 380for jetting washing water to the neck of the user turning up is disposedin the sink 302.

The upper and lower nozzle links 311 and 312 and the neck nozzle link380 are provided with plural nozzles, and cleaning agent and washingwater fed into the upper and lower nozzle links 311, 312 and the necknozzle link 380 are jetted from each nozzle. The upper and lower nozzlelinks 311 and 312 are turned, and the neck nozzle link 380 is fixed. Theoverall head portion and hair of the user can be washed by jettingcleaning agent and washing water from the respective nozzles. A handshower 313 is disposed at the upper rear side in the sink 302. Anoperator (staff of a beauty salon or the like) turns the cock 314disposed at the right side of the hand shower 313, whereby the amount ofwater discharged from the hand shower 313 can be adjusted, and hair canbe washed by hand.

Water used for the automatic hair washing machine 301 is supplied fromtap water facilities and how water supply facilities (not shown) at theoutside of the machine through the mixing valve 315 and the water supplypipe 316. Water is supplied from the tap water facilities through thewater supply portion 317 into the mixing valve 315, and also warm wateris supplied from the hot water supply facilities through the hot watersupply portion 318 into the mixing valve 315. The mixing valve 315 mixesthe water and the hot water supplied form the water supply portion 317and the hot water supply portion 318, and feeds out warm water to thewater supply pipe 316. A thermistor 319 for detecting the temperature ofthe warm water fed out from the mixing valve 315 is disposed at somemidpoint in the water supply pipe 316. A motor 320 is operated on thebasis of the detection result of the thermistor 315 to open/close themixing valve 315, whereby the mixing rate between the water and the hotwater is adjusted and thus hot water having a set temperature isgenerated. The mixing valve 315 is an electrically-operated type whoseopening degree is adjusted by the motor 320. The motor 320 is a DC motoror a DC electrical motor and has a brush, etc.

An operation panel 360 (FIG. 18) is provided at a side of the sink 302,and the set temperature is determined by operator's (user's) operationof the operation panel 360. The water supply pipe 316 is branched to awater supply pipe 321 for the hand shower and a water supply pipe 322for stocking warm water from a some midpoint portion (a downstream sidefrom the thermistor 319). The hand shower water supply pipe 321intercommunicates with the hand shower 313 through a hand shower valve323 which can be opened/closed by a cock 314. Furthermore, the watersupply pipe 322 for stocking warm water can supply warm water into thewarm water stocking tank 325 through the warm water stocking valve 324as a warm water supply valve.

A first water level sensor 326 and a second water level sensor 327 fordetecting the water level of warm water stocked in the warm waterstocking tank 325 are arranged so as to be spaced from each other at afixed interval in the vertical direction. When the warm water in thewarm water stocking tank 325 is used and it is detected by the secondwater level sensor 327 that the water level reaches a predeterminedlowest water level, the warm water stocking valve 324 is opened, andwarm water is supplied into the warm water stocking tank 325.Thereafter, when it is detected by the first water level sensor 326 thatthe warm water in the warm water stocking tank 325 reaches apredetermined highest water level, the warm water stocking valve 324 isclosed to sop the supply of warm water. As described above, warm wateris kept to be stocked between the lowest water level and the highestwater level in the warm water stocking tank 325.

A water overflow port 328 is formed at the upper portion of the warmwater stocking tank 325 (above the first water level sensor 326). Whenwarm water of the highest water level or more is supplied into the warmwater stocking tank 325 due to a trouble of the first water level sensor326 or the like, extra warm water is made to overflow to the outside ofthe warm water stocking tank 325 through the water overflow port 328.The warm water overflowing from the water overflow port 328 is receivedby an overflow tank 329, and it is passed through a water discharge pipe330 intercommunicating with the overflow tank 329 to the outside of themachine. An overflow sensor 331 is disposed in the overflow tank 329.For example, when it is detected by the overflow sensor 331 that thewater discharge pipe 330 is clogged and thus the water level in theoverflow tank 329 reaches the highest water level, the operation of theautomatic water washing machine 301 is stopped.

A suction pipe 333 which is connected to a main pump 332 at one endthereof and also connected to the lowest portion of the warm waterstocking tank 325 is provided. The main pump 332 is supplied with ACcurrent from the inverter 364 to be operated, and warm water is suckedthrough the suction pipe 333 into the warm water stocking tank 325. Ashampoo supply pipe 335 reaching a shampoo container 334 for stockingshampoo liquid and a conditioner supply pipe 337 reaching a conditionercontainer 336 for stocking conditioner liquid are connected to somemidpoint of the suction pipe 333. Treatment liquid may be stocked in theconditioner container 336. A shampoo pump 338 and a conditioner pump 339are provided at some midpoints of the shampoo supply pipe 335 and theconditioner supply pipe 337. Upon action of the shampoo pump 338 and theconditioner pump 339, the mixing amount of shampoo liquid andconditioner liquid into warm water passing through the suction pipe 333is properly adjusted, whereby washing water to be used at that time issucked into the main pump 332.

Washing water sucked from the suction pipe 333 into the main pump 332 isfed out to a water feeding pipe 340 having plural (for example, four)distribution paths. A filter 341 is provided in the water feed pipe 340,and four valves of an upper nozzle valve 342, a lower nozzle valve 343,a neck nozzle valve 374 and a water discharging valve 344 are providedto the four distribution paths at the downstream side. Branch paths 346,347, 375 and 348 are provided to the four distribution paths in whichthe upper nozzle valve 342, the lower nozzle valve 343, the neck nozzlevalve 374 and the water discharge valve 344 are provided. The terminalof the branch path 346 extending from the upper nozzle valve 342 isconnected to the upper nozzle link 311, the terminal of the branch path347 extending from the lower nozzle valve 343 is connected to the lowernozzle link 312, and the terminal of the branch path 375 extending fromthe neck nozzle valve 374 is connected to the neck nozzle link 380.

A discharge port 350 for discharging water into the sink 302 is formedin the bottom surface of the sink 302, and the discharge port 350intercommunicates with the water discharge pipe 330 through a waterdischarge trap 351 for preventing backflow. Accordingly, waterdischarged from the discharge port 350 of the sink 302 is passed throughthe water discharge pipe 330, and discharged to the outside of themachine. The terminal of the branch path 48 extending from the waterdischarge valve 344 is connected to the water discharge trap 351.

As shown in FIG. 19, the automatic hair washing machine 301 according tothis embodiment has a cleaning agent jetting mechanism 390 for jettingmenthol type cleaning agent to the head portion of a user laid in thesink 302.

The cleaning agent jetting mechanism 390 has a cleaning agent stockingcontainer 391 for stocking menthol type cleaning agent, and a cleaningagent jetting nozzle 393 which is connected through a cleaning agentfeeding pipe 392 to the cleaning agent stocking container 391 and jetsthe cleaning agent stocked in the cleaning agent stocking container 391to the head portion of the user. The cleaning agent feeding pipe 392,the cleaning agent supply pump 394 and the cleaning agent nozzle valve395 are successively connected to the cleaning agent feeding pipe 392.When the menthol type cleaning agent is jetted to the head portion ofthe user, the cleaning agent nozzle valve 395 is set to an open state,the cleaning agent supply pump 394 is operated, and the menthol typecleaning agent stocked in the cleaning agent stocking container 391 isfed through the cleaning agent feeding pipe 392 to the cleaning agentjetting nozzle 393, whereby the cleaning agent is jetted from thecleaning agent jetting nozzle 393 to the head portion of the user.

When the menthol type cleaning agent is jetted to the head portion, theuser can be brought with an exhilarating feeling and sensation ofcoolness, thereby making the user more comfortable.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the relationship between the head supportnet 370 and the neck nozzle link 380. As shown in FIG. 20A, the necknozzle link 380 is a pipe-shaped member which is bent in a substantiallyM-shape. Brackets 381 are fixed to two corner portions of the necknozzle link 380 by weld, and the neck nozzle link 380 is fixed to theinner wall at the front side of the sink 302 through the brackets 381. Ahorizontal portion 382 of the neck nozzle link 380 is curved to beconvex downwardly along the neck of the user, and three nozzles 383 aresecured to the upper center portion of the horizontal portion 382 to bespaced from one another at suitable intervals. As shown in FIG. 20B, twosupport rods 384 extending horizontally to the inside of the sink 302are fixed to the horizontal portion 382 by weld so as to be vertical tothe horizontal portion 382. Support portions 371 at both the ends of thehead support net 370 are mounted on the two support rods 384.

The head support net 370 is formed of a resin molded member, and it hasthe support portions 371 to which the support rods 384 are fitted asshown in FIGS. 21A and 21B. The head support net 370 is designed so thatthe mesh size 372A in the neighborhood of the center portion 372corresponding to the apex of the rear head portion of the user is largerand the mesh size 371A becomes smaller as it approaches to the supportportions 371 at both the ends of the head support net 370. As shown inFIG. 18, the head portion support net 370 is fixed to a position atwhich it does not disturb the operation of the upper and lower nozzlelinks 311 and 312, that is, at such a position as to avoid the movinglocus of each of the links 311 and 312.

The upper and lower nozzle links 311 and 312 are iteratively movablesynchronously with each other while supported at only one ends thereof(cantilevered).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18B, the upper nozzle link 311iteratively moves so as to start to turn around the rotational shaft Ain the direction of the arrow C, turn from the head top position T1shown in FIG. 18A, reach the rear head position T2, reversely turns fromthe rear head position T2 in the direction of the arrow E and thenreturn to the head top position T1. Here, when the upper nozzle link 311is located at the head top position T1, washing water is jetted fromeach nozzle formed in the upper nozzle link 311 in the direction of anarrow Y1, whereby the washing water is jetted to the neighborhood of thehead top portion of the user. Furthermore, when the upper nozzle link311 is located at the rear head position T2, washing water is jettedfrom each nozzle formed in the upper nozzle link 311 in the direction ofan arrow Y2, whereby the washing water is jetted to the neighborhood ofthe rear head portion of the user.

Furthermore, the lower nozzle link 312 iteratively moves so as to startto turn around the rotational shaft B in the direction of the arrow D,turn from the hair position T3 shown in FIG. 18B, reach the neckposition T4, reversely turn from the neck position T4 in the directionof the arrow F and return to the hair position T3. Here, when the lowernozzle link 312 is located at the hair position T3, washing water isjetted from each nozzle formed in the lower nozzle link 312 in thedirection of the arrow Y3, whereby the washing water is jetted to thehair hanging from the head portion of the user. Furthermore, when thelower nozzle link 312 is located at the neck position T4, washing wateris jetted from each nozzle formed in the lower nozzle link 312 in thedirection of the arrow Y4, whereby the washing water is jetted to theneighborhood of the neck of the user.

In this embodiment, the upper nozzle link 311 and the lower nozzle link312 are synchronously moved in the same direction with respect to thehair growing direction by a driving mechanism (not shown). That is, asshown in FIG. 18B, when the upper nozzle link 311 is located at the headtop position T1, the lower nozzle link 312 is set to be located at thehair position T3. Here, it is assumed that the upper nozzle link 311 islocated at the head top position T1 and the lower nozzle link 312 islocated at the hair position T3. At this time, when the upper nozzlelink 311 starts to turn in the direction of the arrow C, the lowernozzle link 312 starts to turn in the direction of the arrow D insynchronization with the turning of the upper nozzle link 311. When theupper nozzle link 311 reaches the rear head position T2, the lowernozzle link 312 reaches the neck position T4 substantially at the sametime. Furthermore, after the upper nozzle link 311 reaches the rear headposition T2 and the lower nozzle link 312 reaches the neck position T4,these nozzle links reversely move. That is, it is assumed that the uppernozzle link 11 is located at the rear head position T2 and the lowernozzle link 312 is located at the neck position T4. At this time whenthe upper nozzle link 11 starts to turn in the reverse direction to thearrow C (i.e., the direction of an arrow E), the lower nozzle link 312starts to turn in the reverse direction to the arrow D (i.e., thedirection of an arrow F). When the upper nozzle link 311 reaches thehead top position T1, the lower nozzle link 312 reaches the hairposition T3 at the same time.

Here, for example when the upper nozzle link 311 is moved in the samedirection as the hair growing direction while jetting washing water andalso the lower nozzle link 312 is moved in the opposite direction to thehair growing direction while jetting washing water, that is, when themoving directions of the upper and lower nozzle links 311 and 312 withrespect to the hair growing direction are different from each other, theupper nozzle link 311 and the lower nozzle link 312 jet washing water tothe head portion and hair of the user from the different directions withrespect to the hair growing direction. Therefore, there occurs asituation that the hair becomes entangled.

However, as described above, the upper nozzle link 311 and the lowernozzle link 312 are moved in the same direction synchronously with eachother, and thus the moving directions of the upper and lower nozzlelinks 311 and 312 with respect to the hair growing direction arecoincident with each other at all times, and thus occurrence of thesituation that the hair gets entangled can be prevented.

Furthermore, the upper and lower nozzle links 311 and 312 can be surelyprevented from coming into contact with each other while they are moved.In this embodiment, under the control of the microcomputer 389, theupper and lower nozzle links 311 and 312 make complicated motions likethey are synchronously moved while changing the speed, temporarilystopped after moving in a fixed range, or iteratively moved in apredetermined range.

In this embodiment, according to the above construction, when the headportion of the user is placed at the head support net 370 in the sink302, the user's neck faces the inside of the sink 302. The washing wateris jetted from the neck nozzle link 380 to the neck of the user, andthus the automatic hair washing containing the washing of the neck canbe performed in cooperation with the operation of the movement of theupper and lower nozzle links 311 and 312. Furthermore, the head supportnet 370 is disposed so as to avoid the moving locus of each of thenozzle links 311 and 312, so that the head support net 370 does notobstruct the operation of the nozzle links 311 and 312 and thus theinterference can be avoided. Furthermore, the head support portion isformed of a net 370, and thus washing water from each of the nozzlelinks 311 and 312 easily prevail over the rear head portion. Stillfurthermore, the support portions 371 at both the ends of the headsupport net 370 is joined to the support rods 384 of the neck nozzlelink 380. Therefore, it is unnecessary to perform an additional workingon the sink 302 to secure the head support net 370, and the head supportnet 370 can be easily secured.

The neck nozzle link 380 is supported at both the ends thereof by thesink 302. Therefore, a space can be secured around the neck nozzle link380, and when hair is washed by the hand shower 313, the neck nozzlelink 380 does not disturb the hair washing and thus the hand motion isnot disturbed during hair washing. Furthermore, the head support net 370and the neck nozzle link 380 are joined to each other below the neck ofthe user, and thus the hair washing space can be secured at the rightand left sides of the user's head.

Still furthermore, the mesh size of the head support net 370 is largerat the center portion 372 corresponding to the apex (top) of the rearhead portion, and washing water from each of the nozzle links 311, 312easily prevails to the neighborhood of the apex of the rear headportion. Furthermore, the mesh size is reduced as it approaches to thesupport portions 371 at both the ends, and thus the mechanical strengtharound both the ends is enhanced, so that the support strength isenhanced.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of theautomatic hair washing machine 301.

The operation of the automatic hair washing machine 301 is controlled bythe microcomputer 389. The microcomputer 389 is supplied with signalsfrom the first water level sensor 326, the second water level sensor327, the overflow sensor 331, the first thermistor 319 and the operationpanel 360 for setting and operating the operation content of theautomatic hair washing machine 301. The microcomputer 389 is connectedto the motor 320, the warm water stocking valve 324, the shampoo pup338, the conditioner pump 339, the upper nozzle valve 342, the lowernozzle valve 343, the neck nozzle valve 374, the water discharge valve344, the cleaning agent supply pump 394, the cleaning agent nozzle valve395, etc. as control targets. the mixing valve 315 is connected to themotor 320, and the microcomputer 389 controls the operation of the motor320 to open/close the mixing valve 315, whereby the temperature of warmwater to be fed to the water supply pipe 316 can be adjusted.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 22, the microcomputer 389 is connected tothe inverter 364 for controlling the discharge pressure of washing waterwhich is discharged from the main pump 332 by supplying AC current tothe main pump 332. As shown in FIG. 19, the washing water dischargedfrom the main pump 332 is jetted from the nozzles of the upper and lowernozzle links 311 and 312 through the upper and lower nozzle valves 342and 343. Accordingly, the microcomputer 389 controls the inverter 364 tocontrol the jetting pressure of the washing water to be jetted from thenozzles of each nozzle link.

Furthermore, the microcomputer 389 is connected to a driving motor 398for controlling the movement of each of the upper and lower nozzle links311 and 312. The driving motor 398 comprises a stepping motor, andcontrols the movement of the upper and lower nozzle links 311 and 312through a driving mechanism (not shown) on the basis of a driving signalinput from the microcomputer 389. The microcomputer 389 controls thedriving motor 398 so as to enable the upper and lower nozzle links 311and 312 to make complicated motions by changing the moving speed of theupper and lower nozzle links 311 and 312, temporarily stopping them,etc. The specific operation for the movement of the upper and lowernozzle links 311 and 312 under the automatic hair washing operation ofthe automatic hair washing machine 301 will be described later.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the basic operation under the automatichair washing operation of the automatic hair washing machine 301.

As shown in FIG. 23, the automatic hair washing machine 301 according tothis embodiment successively executes the relaxation step, the firstrinsing step, the shampoo step, the second rinsing step, the conditionerstep, the third rinsing step, the menthol cleaning agent jetting stepand the fourth rinsing step in this order when user's hair isautomatically washed. The operation of the automatic hair washing stepin each step will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 26.

In the following description, the direction from the head top portion tothe neck side along the head portion is referred to as “down direction(downward)”, and conversely the direction from the neck side to the headtop is referred to as “up direction (upward)”. In other words, withrespect to the upper nozzle link 311, the direction from the head topposition T1 to the rear head position T2 corresponds to the “downdirection”, and the opposite direction thereto corresponds to the “updirection”. With respect to the lower nozzle link 312, the directionfrom the hair position T3 to the neck position T4 corresponds to the“down direction”, and the opposite direction thereto corresponds to the“up direction”. At the rear head portion of the user, the hair grows inthe down direction.

As described above, the upper and lower nozzle links 311 and 312 aremoved interlockingly with each other. However, in the followingdescription, only the motion of one nozzle link will be described forconvenience of description in some cases. Furthermore, in the followingdescription, the microcomputer 389 functions as a controller.

In this embodiment, the jetting pressure of washing water jetted fromthe upper and lower nozzle links 311 and 312 can be changed at 12 stagesfrom the lowest level 1 to the highest level 12.

FIG. 24 a is a diagram showing the relaxation step.

This relaxation step is a step of jetting washing water to the head of auser for the first time, and mainly aims to make the user accustomed towashing water by jetting washing water to the user's head portion torelax the user. In order to attain this aim, in the relaxation step, thejetting pressure is controlled so that the average value of the jettingpressure level is lower than the average value of the jetting pressurein the shampoo step and the conditioner step described later.Specifically, in this embodiment, the average value of the jettingpressure level in the shampoo step is set to level 9, and the averagevalue of the jetting pressure level in the conditioner step is set tolevel 8. On the other hand, the average value of the jetting pressurelevel in the relaxation step is set to about level 6.

First, as shown in A1 of FIG. 24A, the microcomputer 389 controls thedriving motor 398 to move the lower nozzle link 312 to a position wherewashing water is jetted to a point PD1 of the head portion (rear headportion), and then controls the inverter 364 so that washing water isjetted from the lower nozzle link 312 to the point PD1 for threeseconds, for example.

Subsequently, as shown in A2 of FIG. 24A, the microcomputer 389 movesthe lower nozzle link 312 to the neck position T4 while jetting washingwater. At this time, the microcomputer 389 moves the lower nozzle link312 at a very slow speed. This operation makes the user feel as ifhe/she is gently stroked by a human's hand and thus provides a sense ofease to the user. Furthermore, since washing water is jetted to the headportion while the lower nozzle link 312 is moved at such a slow speed inthe relaxation step immediately after the automatic hair washing processis started, the user can cast aside such a feeling that his/her hair iswashed by a machine without surprising the user, so that the user has ahigh-class feeling.

Here, in A2, the microcomputer 389 sets the jetting pressure to a highervalue when washing water is jetted to the neighborhood of the rear headportion of the user by the lower nozzle link 312 (i.e., when washingwater is jetted in the directions of the arrows E and F) as comparedwith cases where washing is jetted in the other jetting directions.

The reason for this is as follows. When washing water is jetted to theneighborhood of the rear head portion of the user, the washing watermust be upwardly jetted, and thus the water pressure of the washingwater which has just reached the rear head portion of the user isweakened. Therefore, the washing water to be jetted must be increased.Furthermore, when washing water is jetted to the neighborhood of therear head portion of the user, the washing water jetted from the lowernozzle link 312 is obstructed from reaching the rear head portion by thehair hanging from the rear head portion, and thus the water pressure ofthe washing water reaching the rear head portion of the user isweakened. Therefore, the washing water to be jetted must be increased.Still furthermore, with respect to the human's head portion, there is atendency that the rear head portion is duller than the other places, andthus the massage effect caused by the jetting of washing water to theuser can be surely brought by increasing the jetting pressure of washingwater to the neighborhood of the rear head portion.

Particularly, in this embodiment, the microcomputer 389 controls thejetting pressure of washing water so that the jetting pressure ofwashing water jetted to the head portion located at a position where thehead portion support net 370 exists (the jetting pressure of washingwater jetted in the direction of the arrow F) is set to be larger thanthe jetting pressure of washing water jetted to the head portion at aposition where the head portion support net 370 does not exist. In thisembodiment, the microcomputer 389 controls the jetting pressure ofwashing water so that the jetting pressure of washing water jetted tothe head portion at the position where the head portion support net 370exists is set to the level 9, and the jetting pressure of washing waterjetted to the head portion at the other positions is set to the level 7.

This is to prevent occurrence of such a situation that existence of thenet causes washing water to be weakly jetted to the head portion at theposition where the net exists. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the hairsandwiched between the head portion support net 370 and the rear headportion moves hardly, and washing water jetted from the lower nozzlelink 312 is disturbed from reaching the rear head portion by the hairsandwiched between the head portion support net 370 and the rear headportion. However, according to this invention, by increasing the jettingpressure of the washing water, the washing water which reaches the rearhead portion of the user is prevented from being weakened in jettingpressure by the above disturbance of the jetting of the washing water bythe sandwiched hair.

In this embodiment, the same control as the lower nozzle link 312 isapplied to the upper nozzle link 311. This control is executed while theautomatic hair washing operation is executed by the automatic hairwashing machine 301.

It may be detected on the basis of the driving signal output from themicrocomputer 389 to the driving motor 398 whether the upper nozzle link311 and the lower nozzle link 312 jet washing water to the neighborhoodof the rear head portion, for example. Furthermore, a position detectingsensor for detecting the positions of the upper nozzle link 311 and thelower nozzle link 312 may be connected to the microcomputer 389, anddetect the position on the basis of the output value of the positiondetecting sensor.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 389 controls the neck nozzle valve 374,etc. to jet washing water from the neck nozzle link 380 to a point PK1at the neck of the user. Here, the jetted washing water is set to warmwater. By jetting warm water to the neck of the user as described above,the blood flow of the neck is made good, and the tension of the overallhead portion is loosened, so that the massage effect can be enhanced.Subsequently, the jetting of warm water from the neck nozzle link 380 isexecuted until the relaxation step is finished. Accordingly, the warmwater is jetted to the neck of the user over a long time, and thus theabove effect can be effectively brought. In A3 of FIG. 24A, themicrocomputer 389 moves the upper nozzle link 311 to the head topposition T1 as indicated by a chain line, and also moves the lowernozzle link 312 to the hair position T3.

Subsequently, as shown in A4 of FIG. 24A, the microcomputer 389 drivesthe upper nozzle link 311 so that the upper nozzle link 311 iterativelymoves between the head top position T1 and the rear head position T2while jetting washing water. At this time, the microcomputer 389 setsthe jetting pressure of washing water so that the jetting pressure ofwashing water when the upper nozzle link 311 is moved downwardly is setto be higher than the jetting pressure when the upper nozzle link 311 ismoved upwardly. In this embodiment, the microcomputer 389 controls thejetting pressure so that the jetting pressure level when the uppernozzle link 311 is moved downwardly is set to the level 8, and thejetting pressure level when the upper nozzle link 311 is moved upwardlyis set to the level 5.

Here, when the head portion is massaged (kneaded) by human's hands, inorder to perform a smooth massage in accordance with the hair growingdirection, the massage (kneading) force is stronger when the headportion is massaged (kneaded) in the same direction as the hair growingdirection than when the head portion is massaged (kneaded) in theopposite direction to the hair growing direction.

In the above control, the jetting pressure when the upper nozzle link311 is moved downwardly, that is, when the washing water is successivelyjetted in the same direction as the hair growing direction is higherthan when the upper nozzle link 311 is moved in the opposite direction,that is, when the washing water is successively jetted in the oppositedirection to the hair growing direction. Therefore, the user can bebrought with such a feeling that the user is massaged by human's hands.

Furthermore, according to the above control, the jetting pressure whenthe washing water is successively jetted in the opposite direction tothe hair growing direction is weak. Therefore, a teased hair statehardly occurs, the hair can be prevented from being entangled and alsocomfort of the user can be enhanced.

In A4 of FIG. 24A, the upper nozzle link 311 repeats the above movement(motion) twice. Subsequently, as indicated in A5 of FIG. 25A, themicrocomputer 389 moves the upper nozzle link 311 so that the uppernozzle link 311 iteratively moves between the head top position T1 andthe rear head position T2, and also moves the lower nozzle link 312 sothat the lower nozzle link 312 iteratively moves between the hairposition T3 and the neck position T4. During the movement, themicrocomputer 389 jets washing water from both the nozzle links.

Subsequently, as indicated in A6 of FIG. 24A, the microcomputer 389controls the upper nozzle link 311 as follows.

That is, first, the upper nozzle link 311 is moved to the head topposition T1, and temporarily stopped. During temporary stop, themicrocomputer 389 controls the inverter 364, etc. to jet washing waterfrom the upper nozzle link 311 to the point PU1 while switching thejetting pressure between high and low levels at a time interval of 0.5second. The level switching of the jetting pressure is performed so thateach of the high level state and the low level state of the jettingpressure is applied every twice. In this embodiment, the microcomputer389 controls the jetting pressure so that the jetting pressure levelunder the state that the jetting pressure is high is set to the level 8,and the jetting pressure level under the state that the jetting pressureis low is set to the level 5. Thereafter, the microcomputer 389 jetswashing water from the upper nozzle link 311 so as to switch the jettingpressure between the high and low levels at a time interval of onesecond. The switching operation of the jetting pressure level isperformed so that each of the high level state and the low level stateis set every once.

As described above, when washing water is jetted to some site of theuser's head portion while switching the jetting pressure between thehigh and low level states at a predetermined interval, the user isbrought with such a feeling as if he/she is massaged (kneaded) to bealternately stronger and weaker in strength by human's hands.

Particularly, in this embodiment, the jetting pressure level is switchedduring the temporary stop of the upper nozzle link 311, and thus duringthe temporary stop, washing water is jetted to the same site of the headportion while the jetting pressure level is switched. Therefore, theuser is brought with such a strong feeling as if he/she is massaged(kneaded) at the site concerned alternately more strongly and moreweakly by human's hands.

Here, when the kneading massage is executed by human's hand, thekneading massage is executed while the alternating interval between thestrong level and the weak level of the kneading massage is graduallyincreased. In this embodiment, as the washing water jetting timeelapses, the switching interval between the high level and the low levelof the jetting pressure is also increased. Accordingly, the user isbrought with such a feeling as if he/she is massaged (kneaded) athis/her washing water jetted site by human's hands.

Furthermore, after the microcomputer 389 temporarily stops the uppernozzle link 311 at the position corresponding to the point PU1, themicrocomputer 389 releases the temporary stop, and moves the uppernozzle link 311 downwardly to a position at which washing water isjetted to the point PU2. Thereafter, the microcomputer 389 temporarilystops the upper nozzle link 311 at the position corresponding to thepoint PU2, and jets the washing water while switching the jettingpressure between the high level and the low level as in the case of theposition corresponding to the point PU1. As described above, themicrocomputer 389 moves the upper nozzle link 311 from the positioncorresponding to PU1 to the position corresponding to the PU5, and ateach of the positions corresponding to the PU1 to PU5, the microcomputer389 temporarily stops the upper nozzle link 311 and jets washing waterwhile switching the jetting pressure between the high level and the lowlevel during the temporary stop.

According to the above operation, at the plural sites of the user's headportion, the user can be brought with such a feeling as if he/she ismassaged (kneaded) alternately more strongly and more weakly by human'shands.

FIG. 24B is a diagram showing the first rinsing step.

The first rinsing step is a step for washing out smudge attached to hairwith washing water (containing neither shampoo liquid nor conditionerliquid) before the shampoo step as the next step.

In this first rinsing step, as in the case of the relaxation step, thejetting pressure is controlled so that the average value of the jettingpressure level is lower than the average value in the shampoo step andthe average value in the conditioner step. Accordingly, the user isaccustomed with the jetting of washing water to his/her head portion.

In B1 of FIG. 24B, the same operation as the operation described withreference to A1 is executed.

Subsequently, as shown in B2 of FIG. 24B, the microcomputer 389 movesthe upper nozzle link 311 so that the upper nozzle link 311 iterativelymoves between the head top position T1 and the rear head position T2while jetting washing water, and also moves the lower nozzle link 312 sothat the lower nozzle link 312 iteratively moves between the hairposition T3 and the neck position T4. During the operation, themicrocomputer 389 controls the jetting pressure of washing water so thatthe jetting pressure of washing water when the upper nozzle link 311 ismoved downwardly is set to be higher (stronger washing pressure: S) thanthe jetting pressure of washing water when the upper nozzle link 311 ismoved upwardly (weaker washing pressure: W). Likewise, the microcomputer389 controls the jetting pressure of washing water so that the jettingpressure of washing water when the lower nozzle link 312 is moveddownwardly is set to be higher than the jetting pressure of washingwater when the lower nozzle link 312 is moved upwardly.

Subsequently, as indicated in B3 of FIG. 24B, the microcomputer 389moves the upper nozzle link 311 to the head top position T1, and thenreciprocates the upper nozzle link 311 at four times within such a rangethat washing water is jetted to the site corresponding to a range H1(hereinafter referred to as “range H1”, and the same motion is appliedto ranges H2 to H9). Thereafter, the microcomputer 389 moves the uppernozzle link 311 downwardly, and then reciprocates the upper nozzle link311 at four times within the range H2 while washing water is jetted. Asdescribed above, the microcomputer 389 reciprocates the upper nozzlelink 311 at four times within each of the ranges H1 to H4 while jettingwashing water. Accordingly, the washing water is concentrically jettedin each of the ranges H1 to H4, whereby smudge attached to the hair canbe surely washed out in each of these ranges.

In B4 of FIG. 24B, the same operation as described with reference to A4is executed.

FIG. 24C is a diagram showing the shampoo step.

The shampoo step is a step for washing the hair of a user by cleaningliquid containing shampoo liquid. The microcomputer 389 controls theshampoo pump 338 to mix water with shampoo liquid, thereby generatingcleaning liquid.

In this shampoo step, the microcomputer 389 moves the upper nozzle link311 and the lower nozzle link 312 at a higher speed than that in therelaxation step described above. Accordingly, the user is brought with asuitable stimulation and also is made to feel comfortable, and also thehair washing can be efficiently performed.

Furthermore, in the shampoo step, the jetting pressure is controlled sothat the average value of the jetting pressure level is higher than thatin the relaxation step, the conditioner step, the rinsing step, etc. Asdescribed above, a stronger stimulation is applied to the user whosehair is washed as compared with the other steps, whereby the massaginginterval is made remarkable, and the user recognizes that the massagepeak comes, and also the comfort of the user is enhanced. In thisembodiment, the microcomputer 389 controls the jetting pressure so thatthe average value of the jetting pressure level in the shampoo step isset to the level 9.

In C1 of FIG. 24C, the same operation as described with reference to A6is executed. The operation shown in C1 is called as “finger-presswashing”. By executing the operation indicated in C1, the same effect asdescribed with reference to A6 can be attained. Furthermore, cleaningliquid containing shampoo liquid is concentrically jetted to the pointsPU1 to PU5, whereby the shampoo liquid is made to prevail over theoverall head portion. In addition, the shampoo liquid can be made toinfiltrate into the base of the hair.

In C2 of FIG. 24C, an operation called as “reciprocating washing” isexecuted in C2 of FIG. 24C.

That is, after moving the upper nozzle link 311 to the head top positionT1, the microcomputer 389 stops the movement of the upper nozzle link311 at the head top position T1 for a predetermined time period, andjets cleaning liquid containing shampoo liquid from the upper nozzlelink 311 to the point PO1. The point PO1 corresponds to “high positionof the head portion laid in the sink 302”.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 389 moves the upper nozzle link 31 whilejetting washing water containing neither shampoo liquid nor conditionerliquid from the upper nozzle link 311. At this time, the microcomputer389 moves the upper nozzle link 311 downwardly while controlling themovement of the upper nozzle link 311 so that washing water is jetted tothe position of dropping cleaning liquid (shampoo liquid) in conformitywith trickling of the cleaning liquid (shampoo liquid) attached to thepoint PO1 along the head portion. Here, the trickling speed of thecleaning liquid attached to the point PO1 along the head portion, therelationship between the after-jetting lapse time and the position ofthe washing water on the head portion when the lapse time concernedelapses, etc. are calculated by experiments, simulation or the like inadvance, and also it is found out how the upper nozzle link 311 shouldbe moved when the upper nozzle link 311 is moved so that washing wateris jetted in conformity with trickling cleaning agent. Accordingly, aprogram for implementing the motion described above is programmed andstored in a storage unit of the microcomputer 389.

When the upper nozzle link 311 is moved to the rear head position T2,the microcomputer 389 upwardly moves the upper nozzle link 311 to thehead top position T1 while jetting washing water.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 389 moves the upper nozzle link 311downwardly while controlling the movement of the upper nozzle link 311so that cleaning liquid containing shampoo liquid is jetted to the pointPO1 at the head top position T1 again, and further washing watercontaining neither shampoo liquid neither conditioner liquid is jettedto the position of the cleaning liquid (shampoo liquid) trickling alongthe head portion (i.e., trickling position) in conformity with thetrickling of the cleaning liquid (shampoo liquid) attached to the pointPO1 along the head portion. The microcomputer 389 repeats thereciprocating movement of the upper nozzle link 311 as described aboveat plural times.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the upper nozzlelink 311 is located at the head top portion, the microcomputer 389 jetsthe cleaning liquid containing the shampoo liquid, and moves the uppernozzle link 311 downwardly while controlling the movement of the uppernozzle link 311 so that the washing water is jetted to the position ofthe cleaning agent liquid (shampoo liquid) trickling along the headportion in conformity with the trickling of the cleaning agent liquid(shampoo liquid) attached to the point PO1. Accordingly, the followingeffect can be obtained.

That is, under the condition that the cleaning agent containing theshampoo liquid is jetted to the point PO1, in other words, to thehighest position in the range where the cleaning agent liquid is jettedfrom the upper nozzle link 311, the washing water is jetted to theposition of the cleaning agent liquid (shampoo liquid) trickling alongthe head portion in conformity with the trickling of the cleaning agentliquid (shampoo liquid) attached to the point PO1. Therefore, theinfiltration of the trickling cleaning agent liquid into the hair andthe bubbling of the trickling cleaning agent liquid are promoted overthe whole area of the head portion. Therefore, the cleaning agent liquidcontaining the shampoo liquid can be made to properly prevail over theoverall head portion by utilizing the trickling characteristic of thecleaning agent liquid based on the gravitational force at maximum.

Furthermore, the cleaning agent liquid containing the shampoo liquid isjetted while the upper nozzle link 311 is located at the head topposition T1, and the consumption amount of the shampoo liquid can bereduced as compared with a case where the cleaning agent liquidcontaining the shampoo liquid is also jetted at the other positions, andthus the running cost can be reduced. That is, according to thisembodiment, the running cost can be suppressed with maintaining thestate that the cleaning agent liquid containing the shampoo liquidprevails over the overall head portion.

In the above case, the cleaning agent liquid containing the shampooliquid is jetted only when the upper nozzle link 311 is located at thehead top position T1. For example, the cleaning agent liquid may be alsojetted when the upper nozzle link 311 is located at an intermediateposition between the head top position T1 and the rear head position T2.That is, the above effect can be attained insofar as the cleaning agentliquid is concentrically jetted at a high position of the head portionsuch as the point PO1, etc.

Subsequently, the following operation is executed in C3 of FIG. 24C. Theoperation shown in C3 is referred to as “knead-washing”. FIG. 24D is anenlarged view of C3 of FIG. 24C. That is, after moving the upper nozzlelink 311 to the head top position t1, the microcomputer 389 stops themovement of the upper nozzle link 311 at the head top position T1 for apredetermined time and jets the cleaning agent liquid containing theshampoo liquid to the point PO1 (see C2) from the upper nozzle link 311.

Subsequently, after the microcomputer 389 moves the upper nozzle link311 to the head top position T1, the microcomputer 389 stops themovement of the upper nozzle link 311 at the head top position T1 for apredetermined time, and jets the cleaning agent liquid containing theshampoo liquid from the upper nozzle link 311 to the point PO1 (see C2of FIG. 24C).

Subsequently, the microcomputer 389 moves the upper nozzle link 3121downwardly by only a predetermined distance while jetting washing watercontaining neither shampoo liquid nor conditioner liquid as indicated byan arrow G1. Subsequently, the microcomputer 389 moves the upper nozzlelink 311 upwardly by only a shorter distance than the predetermineddistance while jetting washing water containing neither shampoo liquidnor conditioner liquid as indicated by an arrow Y1. Here, themicrocomputer 389 controls the jetting pressure of washing water so thatthe jetting pressure of the washing water jetted in the direction of thearrow G is set to be higher than the jetting pressure of the washingwater jetted in the direction of the arrow Y1. Therefore, as describedabove, the effect of preventing entangling of the hair, etc. can beachieved. Thereafter, the microcomputer 389 moves the upper nozzle link311 to the rear head position T2 while alternately repeating thedownward movement and the upward movement of the upper nozzle link 311as indicated by the arrows G2, Y2, G3, Y3, G4. Likewise, themicrocomputer 389 moves the lower nozzle link 312 to the hair positionT3, and then controls the lower nozzle link 312 to make the same motionas the upper nozzle link 311 until it reaches the neck position T4.

When the above operation is executed, the microcomputer 389 alternatelyrepeats the downward and upward movement of the upper nozzle link 311while controlling the movement of the upper nozzle link 311 so thatwashing water is jetted to the position of cleaning agent liquid(shampoo liquid) trickling along the head portion in conformity with thetrickling of the cleaning agent liquid (shampoo liquid) attached to thepoint PO1 (see C2). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24 d, a series ofoperations indicated by the arrows G1 and Y1 are executed while thecleaning agent liquid trickling along the head portion exists in therange H10, a series of operations indicated by the arrows G2 and Y2 areexecuted while the cleaning agent liquid trickling along the headportion exists in the range H11, a series of operations indicated by thearrows G3 and Y3 are executed while the cleaning agent liquid tricklingalong the head portion exists in the range H12, and an operationindicated by the arrow G4 is executed while the cleaning agent liquidtrickling along the head portion exists in the range H13. a program forcontrolling the movement of the upper nozzle link 311 so that the uppernozzle link 311 makes the above motion is developed by an experiment, asimulation or the like in advance, and the microcomputer 389 controlsthe movement of the upper nozzle link 311 by the microcomputer 389 onthe basis of this program.

The same effect as described with reference to C2 can be attainedthrough the above operation. Under the condition that the cleaning agentcontaining the shampoo liquid is jetted to the point PO1, in otherwords, the highest position in the range where the cleaning agent liquidis jetted from the upper nozzle link 311, washing water is jetted to theposition of the cleaning agent liquid (shampoo liquid) trickling alongthe head portion in conformity with the trickling of the cleaning agentliquid (shampoo liquid) attaching to the point PO1. Therefore, theinfiltration of the trickling cleaning agent liquid into the hair andthe bubbling of the cleaning agent liquid are promoted over the overallarea of the head portion. Accordingly, the cleaning agent liquidcontaining the shampoo liquid can be made to prevail over the whole areaof the head portion by using the trickling characteristic based on thegravitational force at maximum. Particularly, with respect to themotions indicated by the arrows Y1, Y2 and Y3, the washing water isjetted against the flow of the cleaning agent liquid along the headportion, so that the cleaning agent liquid containing the shampoo liquidcan be infiltrated into the head portion and also the cleaning agentliquid can be bubbled more greatly.

Furthermore, the cleaning agent liquid containing the shampoo liquid isjetted while the upper nozzle link 311 is located at the head topposition T1. Therefore, as compared with the case where the cleaningagent liquid is also jetted in the other cases (i.e., in a case wherethe upper nozzle link 311 is located at positions other than the headtop position T1), the consumption amount of the shampoo liquid can bereduced, and the running cost can be suppressed.

In the foregoing example, the cleaning agent liquid containing theshampoo liquid is jetted only when the upper nozzle link 311 is locatedat the head top position T1. However, the cleaning agent liquid may bejetted from the upper nozzle link 311 during the movement indicated bythe arrow G3. That is, the above effect can be attained byconcentrically jetting the cleaning agent liquid at a high position ofthe head portion.

An operation called as “rubbing-washing” is executed in C4 of FIG. 24D.

After moving the upper nozzle link 311 to the head top position T1, themicrocomputer 389 stops the movement of the upper nozzle link 311 at thehead top position T1 for a predetermined time, and jets the cleaningagent liquid containing the shampoo liquid from the upper nozzle link311 to the point PO1 (see C2). Subsequently, the microcomputer 3899reciprocates the upper nozzle link 311 at plural times in a range H5corresponding to a narrow range of the head portion of the user whilejetting washing water containing neither shampoo liquid nor conditionerliquid. Here, the narrow range of the head portion of the user isdefined as a range which is located from 0.5 cm to 3 cm in the verticaldirection (in this embodiment, about 2 cm), and the washing water isjetted within this range in a reciprocating style. In this embodiment,the microcomputer 389 reciprocates the upper nozzle link 311 at eighttimes for 2 seconds so that washing water is jetted in the range ofabout 2 cm of the head portion. At this time, the microcomputer 389 setsthe jetting pressure of the washing water to a relatively high value,and sets the moving speed of the upper nozzle link 311 to a relativelyhigh value. In this embodiment, the microcomputer 389 controls the levelof the jetting pressure to the level 8.

As described above, the washing water having a high jetting pressure isjetted from the upper nozzle link 311 which reciprocates at a highspeed, whereby a proper stimulus can be applied to the site concernedand the user can be brought with such a feeling as if the site ofhis/her head is massaged by human's hands. Furthermore, such a feelingthat an itchy site of the head portion is scratched by a human's hand,and thus the comfort of the user can be enhanced.

Furthermore, as compared with the relaxation step and the first rinsingstep, the washing water is jetted under stronger jetting pressure.Therefore, a proper stimulus can be applied to a user who has beenaccustomed to the jetting of washing water to his/her head portionthrough the relaxation step and the first rinsing step. The user feels aproper stimulus and thus he/she can have a strong massage sense.

Thereafter, the microcomputer 389 moves the upper nozzle link 311downwardly by only a predetermined distance. In the range H6, themicrocomputer 389 controls the upper nozzle link 311 to execute the sameoperation as the range H5. As described above, the microcomputer 389reciprocates the upper nozzle link 311 at plural times in each of theranges H5 to H9 while jetting washing water. Accordingly, the aboveeffect can be attained at plural different sites on the head portion.

Furthermore, when the above operation is executed, the microcomputer 389reciprocates the upper nozzle link 311 while controlling the movement ofthe upper nozzle link 3121 so that washing water is jetted to theposition of the cleaning agent liquid (containing shampoo liquid)trickling along the head portion in conformity with the trickling of thecleaning agent liquid (shampoo liquid) attached to the point PO1 (seeC2). Specifically, the upper nozzle link 311 is moved in the range H5 ina reciprocating style (hereinafter referred to as “reciprocatively)while the cleaning agent liquid trickling along the head portion islocated at the place corresponding to the range H5, the upper nozzlelink 311 is reciprocatively moved in the range H6 while the cleaningagent liquid trickling along the head portion is located at the placecorresponding to the range H6, the upper nozzle link 311 isreciprocatively moved in the range H7 while the cleaning agent liquidtrickling along the head portion is located at the place correspondingto the range H7, the upper nozzle link 311 is reciprocatively moved inthe range H8 while the cleaning agent liquid trickling along the headportion is located at the place corresponding to the range H8, and theupper nozzle link 311 is reciprocatively moved in the range H9 while thecleaning agent liquid trickling along the head portion is located at theplace corresponding to the range H9. A program for controlling themovement of the upper nozzle link 311 so that the upper nozzle link 311make the above motion has been developed in advance by experiments,simulations, etc., and the motion of the upper nozzle link 311 iscontrolled by the microcomputer 389 on the basis of this program.

The same effect as described with reference to C2 can be obtainedthrough the above operation. That is, under the condition that thecleaning agent containing the shampoo liquid is jetted to the point PO1,in other words, the highest position in the range where the cleaningagent liquid is jetted from the upper nozzle link 311, washing water isjetted to the position of the cleaning agent liquid (shampoo liquid)trickling along the head portion in conformity with the trickling of thecleaning agent liquid (shampoo liquid) attached to the point PO1.Therefore, the infiltration of the trickling cleaning agent liquid intothe hair and the bubbling of the cleaning agent liquid are promoted overthe overall area of the head portion, and thus the cleaning agent liquidcontaining the shampoo liquid can be made to suitably prevail over thewhole area of the head portion by using the trickling characteristic ofthe cleaning agent liquid based on the gravitational force at maximum.Particularly, in the series of operations shown in C4 of FIG. 24C,washing water may be jetted against flow of the cleaning agent liquidalong the head portion, the cleaning agent liquid containing the shampooliquid can be more greatly infiltrated into the head portion, and thecleaning agent liquid is more bubbled.

Furthermore, the cleaning agent liquid containing the shampoo liquid isjetted while the upper nozzle link 311 is located at the head topposition T1. Therefore, as compared with the case where the cleaningagent liquid containing the shampoo liquid is jetted not only at thehead top position T1, but also at the other positions, the consumptionamount of the shampoo liquid can be reduced, and the running cost can besuppressed.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the five ranges from the range H5 tothe range H9 exist. However, the number of ranges is not limited tofive, and it may be set to four or less or to six or more.

Furthermore, in the above example, the cleaning agent liquid containingthe shampoo liquid is jetted only when the upper nozzle link 311 islocated at the head top position T1. However, the cleaning agent liquidmay be also jetted when the upper nozzle link 311 is located at theposition corresponding to the range H7. That is, the above effect can beattained by concentrically jetting the cleaning agent liquid at a highposition of the head portion such as the point PO1 or the like.

The same operation as described with reference to C2 of FIG. 24C isexecuted in C5 of FIG. 24C.

FIG. 25A is a diagram showing the second rinsing step.

This second rinsing step is a step of washing out cleaning agent liquidcontaining shampoo liquid which is jetted to the head portion in theshampoo step and remains on the head portion and the hair. In thissecond rinsing step, the jetting pressure is controlled so that theaverage value of the jetting pressure level is lower than the averagevalue in the shampoo step. In this embodiment, the average value of thejetting pressure level in the second rinsing step is set to the level 8.

The same operation as described with reference to A3 of FIG. 24A isexecuted in D1 of FIG. 25A, the same operation as described withreference to B2 of FIG. 24B is executed in D2 of FIG. 25A, and the sameoperation as described with reference to C3 of FIG. 24C is executed inD3 of FIG. 25A.

Subsequently, after moving the lower nozzle link 312 to the neckposition T4, the microcomputer 389 moves the lower nozzle link 312upwardly by only a predetermined distance while jetting washing water asindicated by an arrow I. Thereafter, the microcomputer 389 moves thelower nozzle link downwardly by a distance shorter than thepredetermined distance wile jetting washing water as indicated by anarrow J. At this time, the microcomputer 389 controls the jettingpressure of washing water so that the jetting pressure of the washingwater when the lower nozzle link 312 is moved downwardly is set to behigher than the jetting pressure of the washing water when the lowernozzle link 312 is moved upwardly. The microcomputer 389 repeats theabove operation until the lower nozzle link 312 reaches the hairposition T3.

The same operation as described with reference to C3 of FIG. 24C isexecuted in D5 of FIG. 25A, and the upper nozzle link 311 jets nowashing water. The same operation as described with reference to A5 ofFIG. 24A is executed in D7 of FIG. 25A. The upper nozzle link 311executes the same operation as described with reference to A6 of FIG.24A in D8 of FIG. 25A, and the lower nozzle link 312 executessubstantially the same operation as the upper nozzle link 311 in A6 ofFIG. 24A.

FIG. 25B is a diagram showing the conditioner step.

The conditioner step is a step of jetting washing water containingconditioner liquid to the head portion and hair of a user to performso-called conditioning. The microcomputer 389 controls the conditionerpump 339 to mix washing water with conditioner liquid. The average valueof the jetting pressure level in the conditioner step is set to be lowerthan the average value of the jetting pressure level in the shampoostep, and also set to be higher than the average value of the jettingpressure level in the relaxation step. In this embodiment, themicrocomputer 389 controls the jetting pressure so that the averagevalue of the jetting pressure level in the conditioner step is set tothe level 8.

In FIG. E1 of FIG. 25B, the same operation as described with referenceto A3 of FIG. 24A is executed.

The same operation as described with reference to C2 of FIG. 24C isexecuted in E2 of FIG. 25B.

After moving the upper nozzle link 311 to the head top position T1, themicrocomputer 389 stops the movement of the upper nozzle link 311 at thehead top position T1 for a predetermined time, and jets the cleaningagent liquid containing the conditioner liquid from the upper nozzlelink 311 to the point PO1. The point PO1 corresponds to “a high place ofthe head portion laid in the sink 302”.

Subsequently, the microcomputer 389 moves the upper nozzle link 311downwardly while jetting washing water containing neither shampoo liquidnor conditioner liquid. At this time, the microcomputer 389 moves theupper nozzle link 311 downwardly while controlling the movement of theupper nozzle link 311 so that washing water is jetted to the position ofthe cleaning agent liquid (conditioner liquid) trickling along the headportion in conformity with the trickling of the cleaning agent liquid(conditioner liquid) attached to the point PO1. Accordingly, as in thecase of the effect described with reference to C2 of FIG. 24C, therunning cost can be suppressed with keeping the state that the cleaningagent liquid containing the conditioner liquid prevails over the overallarea of the head portion.

The same operation as described with reference to C3 of FIG. 24C isexecuted in E3 of FIG. 25B, and the same operation as described withreference to C2 of FIG. 24C is executed in E4 of FIG. 25B. Through theoperations shown in E3 and E4 of FIG. 25B, the running cost can besuppressed with keeping the state that the cleaning agent liquidcontaining the conditioner liquid prevails over the overall head portionas described with reference to C3 and C3 of FIG. 24C, and further theinfiltration of the conditioner liquid into the head portion can bepromoted.

FIG. 25C is a diagram showing the third rinsing step.

The third rinsing step is a step for washing out washing watercontaining conditioner liquid which is jetted to the head portion in theconditioner step and remains on the head portion and the hair.

In the third rinsing step, the jetting pressure is controlled so thatthe average value of the jetting pressure level is lower than theaverage value in the shampoo step. In this embodiment, the jettingpressure is controlled so that the average value of the jetting pressurelevel in the second rinsing step is equal to the level 8.

The same operation as described with reference to A3 of FIG. 24A isexecuted in F1 of FIG. 25C, the same operation as described withreference to D8 of FIG. 25A is executed in F2 of FIG. 25C, the sameoperation as described with reference to B2 of FIG. 24B is executed inF3 of FIG. 25C, the same operation as described with reference to C3 ofFIG. 24 c is executed in F4 of FIG. 25C, and the same operation asdescribed with reference to B2 of FIG. 24B is executed in F5 of FIG.25C.

FIG. 26A is a diagram showing the menthol cleaning agent jetting step.

This menthol cleaning agent jetting step is a step for jetting mentholtype cleaning agent to a user. In the menthol cleaning agent jettingstep, the jetting pressure is controlled so that the jetting pressureunder jetting of the cleaning agent is low so that the user feels as ifthe menthol type cleaning agent is gently squirted to the user. Forexample, the jetting pressure is set to the level 6.

As indicated in G1 of FIG. 26A, the same operation as described withreference to A7 of FIG. 24A is executed. At this time, the microcomputer389 moderates the movement of the upper nozzle link 311, and the jettingpressure of washing water jetted from the upper nozzle link 311 islowered.

Subsequently, as indicated in B2 of FIG. 26A, the microcomputer 389controls the cleaning agent supply pump 394, the cleaning agent nozzlevalve 395, etc. to jet the menthol type cleaning agent to the headportion of the user as indicated by arrows. When the menthol typecleaning agent is jetted to the head portion, it refreshes the user andgives pleasant cooling sensation to the user.

FIG. 26B is a diagram showing the fourth rinsing step.

The fourth rinsing step is a step for rinsing the menthol type cleaningagent which is jetted to the user in the menthol type jetting step andremains on the head portion and hair of the user.

As indicated in H1 of FIG. 26B, the same operation as described withreference to A4 of FIG. 24A is executed. At this time, the microcomputer389 gradually reduces the jetting pressure of washing water, whereby theuser is made to recognize that the series of operations for automatichair washing has been finished.

As described above, the automatic hair washing machine 301 according tothis embodiment has the sink 302 in which the head portion of the useris laid, and the head portion laid in the sink 302 is washed. Then, theautomatic hair washing machine 301 has the upper nozzle link 311 whichcan jet washing water or cleaning agent liquid while moved along thehead portion laid in the sink 302, and the microcomputer 389 forcontrolling the upper nozzle link 311 so that the upper nozzle link 311concentrically jets the cleaning agent liquid when the upper nozzle link311 is located at a position where it can jet liquid to a high place ofthe head portion laid in the sink 302 as compared with a case where theupper nozzle link 311 is located at other positions.

Accordingly, the cleaning agent liquid jetted to the high place tricklesalong the head portion and the hair, and thus prevails over the overallhead portion. Therefore, the cleaning agent liquid containing theshampoo liquid can be made to suitably prevail over the overall headportion by using the trickling characteristic of the cleaning agentliquid according to the gravitational force at maximum.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the microcomputer 389 jets the cleaningagent liquid to a high place of the head portion laid in the sink 302,and then controls the movement of the upper nozzle link 311 and thejetting of the liquid from the upper nozzle link 311 in accordance withthe trickling of the cleaning agent liquid attached to the head portionalong the head portion.

According to this operation, the cleaning agent liquid can be made tosuitably prevail over the whole area of the head portion by using thecleaning agent liquid trickling along the head portion, and furthermorethe running cost can be suppressed more greatly as compared with a casewhere shampoo is jetted to the whole area of the head portion.

In this embodiment, the microcomputer 389 jets the cleaning agent liquidto a high place of the head portion laid in the sink 302, and thencontrols the movement of the upper nozzle link 311 and the jetting ofthe liquid from the upper nozzle link 311 so that washing water isjetted to the place corresponding to the position of the cleaning agentliquid of the head portion in accordance with trickling of the cleaningagent liquid attached to the head portion along the head portion.

Accordingly, the infiltration of the trickling cleaning agent liquidinto the head portion and the bubbling of the cleaning agent liquid arepromoted over the whole area of the head portion. Therefore, thecleaning agent liquid containing the shampoo liquid (or the conditionerliquid) can be made to suitably prevail over the whole area of the headportion by utilizing the trickling characteristic of the cleaning agentliquid according to the gravitational force at maximum. Particularly, inthis embodiment, the cleaning agent liquid containing the shampoo liquidis jetted during a period when the upper nozzle link 311 is located atthe head top position T1. Therefore, as compared with the case where thecleaning agent liquid containing the shampoo liquid is also jettedduring the other periods than the above period, the consumption amountof the shampoo liquid can be reduced, and the running cost can besuppressed. That is, according to this embodiment, the running cost canbe suppressed with maintaining the state that the cleaning agent liquidcontaining the shampoo liquid prevails over the whole area of the headportion.

Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the microcomputer 389 jetsthe cleaning agent liquid to a high place of the head portion laid inthe sink 302, and then controls the movement of the upper nozzle link311 and the jetting of the liquid from the upper nozzle link 311 so thatthe washing water is jetted to the place corresponding to the positionof the cleaning agent liquid of the head portion while controlling theupper nozzle link so that the washing water is jetted in a reciprocatingfashion within a predetermined range in accordance with the trickling ofthe cleaning agent liquid attached to the head portion along the headportion.

Accordingly, the washing water is jetted to the position of the cleaningagent liquid (shampoo liquid or conditioner liquid) trickling along thehead portion in accordance with the trickling of the cleaning agentliquid (shampoo liquid or conditioner liquid). Therefore, theinfiltration of the trickling cleaning agent liquid into the hair andthe bubbling of the cleaning agent liquid on the hair are promoted overthe whole area of the head portion, and thus the cleaning agent liquidcontaining the shampoo liquid can be made to suitably prevail over thewhole area of the head portion by using the trickling characteristic ofthe cleaning agent liquid according to the gravitational force atmaximum. Particularly, the washing water is jetted in a reciprocatingstyle, and thus the washing water is jetted against the trickling of thecleaning agent liquid along the head portion, so that the cleaning agentliquid containing the shampoo liquid can be made to infiltrate into thehead portion more greatly and also the shampoo liquid can be morebubbled when the cleaning agent liquid contains the shampoo liquid.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cleaning agent liquid containingthe shampoo liquid is jetted while the upper nozzle link 311 is locatedat the head top position T1, and thus as compared with the case wherethe cleaning agent liquid containing the shampoo liquid is also jettedin the other cases, the consumption amount of the shampoo liquid can bereduced, and the running cost can be suppressed.

Still furthermore, after jetting the cleaning agent liquid to a highplace of the head portion laid in the sink 302, the microcomputer 389jets the controls the jetting pressure of the liquid to be jetted fromthe nozzle link in accordance with the trickling of the cleaning agentliquid attached to the head portion along the head portion.

That is, according to this embodiment, in the “knead-washing” describedwith reference to C3 of FIG. 24C, the jetting pressure of washing waterin the case of the movement in the direction of the arrow G1 is set tobe higher than the jetting pressure of washing water in the case of themovement in the direction of the arrow Y1. Accordingly, as describedabove, the jetting pressure when the washing water is successivelyjetted in the same direction as the hair growing direction is higherthan the jetting pressure when the upper nozzle link 311 is moved in theopposite direction, that is, the washing water is successively jetted inthe opposite direction to the hair growing direction. Therefore, theuser feels as if his/her head is massaged by human's hands duringautomatic hair washing. Furthermore, the jetting pressure when thewashing water is successively jetted in the opposite direction to thehair growing direction is weak. Therefore, a teased hair state hardlyoccurs, and also the hair is prevented from being entangled, so that thecomfort of the user (the person whose hair is washed) can be enhanced.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper nozzle link 311 is designedto be reciprocable between the head top position T1 corresponding to thehead top portion of the head portion laid in the sink 302 and the rearhead position T2 corresponding to the rear head portion, and themicrocomputer 389 concentrically jets the cleaning agent liquid when theupper nozzle link 311 is located at the head top position T1.Accordingly, the cleaning agent liquid can be suitably jetted to thehead top portion as a high position of the head portion at the head topposition T1 as the highest position in the range where the cleaningagent liquid is jetted from the upper nozzle link 311.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments,and any modification and application can be made within the scope of thepresent invention.

For example, the above embodiment relates to an example of the operationassociated with the automatic hair washing of the automatic hair washingmachine 301 by using FIGS. 23 to 26, however, the present invention isnot limited to the operation concerning automatic hair washing. Forexample, the order of the respective operations may be changed or eachoperation may be repeated. Furthermore, after the fourth rinsing step,the wet hair of the user whose hair has been washed may be manuallydried with warm air or the like by his/her own hands or hands of anotherperson such as staff of a shop or the like, however, a hair drying stepfor automatically drying wet hair by blowing warm air or the like to thehead portion of the user while adjusting the temperature of the warm airmay be added.

Furthermore, the construction of the cleaning agent jetting mechanism390 is not limited to the construction of the above-describedembodiments, and the menthol type cleaning agent may be jetted from theupper nozzle link 311 and the lower nozzle link 312.

Still furthermore, in the rinsing step, the washing water may beconcentrically jetted to the high (or highest) position of the headportion. In this case, the consumption amount of the washing water canbe suppressed and thus the running cost can be suppressed withmaintaining the state that the washing water prevails over the wholearea of the head portion for the same reason as described above.

1. An automatic hair washing machine comprising: a sink in which a headportion of a user is laid, the sink having an enclosed space that isformed when the head portion is laid in the sink; a nozzle link unit forjetting liquid containing at least one of washing water and cleaningagent liquid; and a mist spraying unit for spraying mist into theenclosed space.
 2. The automatic hair washing machine according to claim1, wherein the mist spraying unit has a mist generator for generatingmist, a mist feeding pipe for introducing the mist generated in the mistgenerator into the sink, a mist discharge port that is provided in thesink to spray out the mist fed through the mist feeding pipe into thesink, and a water discharging trap provided to the mist feeding pipe. 3.The automatic hair washing machine according to claim 2, wherein themist discharge port is configured so that a spray direction of the mistis changeable.
 4. The automatic hair washing machine according to claim2, wherein drain water occurring in connection with the generation ofthe mist in the mist generator is trapped in the water discharging trap.5. The automatic hair washing machine according to claim 1, furthercomprising a jetting unit for jetting the liquid from the nozzle linkunit to the head portion laid in the enclosed space, and a controllerfor controlling the mist spraying unit and the jetting unit, wherein thecontroller controls the jetting unit and the mist spraying unit so thatthe jetting of the liquid by the jetting unit and the spray of the mistby the mist spraying unit are executed interlockingly with each other.6. The automatic hair washing machine according to claim 5, furthercomprising a cleaning operation course indicating unit for indicatingone of cleaning operation courses each comprising a plurality of stepsthat contain at least a washing step based on jetting of liquid executedby the jetting unit and a mist step based on spray of mist executed bythe mist spraying unit, and are arranged in a predetermined step order,wherein when any one of the cleaning operation courses is indicatedthrough the indicating unit, the controller controls the jetting unitand the mist jetting unit so that the jetting of the liquid by thejetting unit and the spray of the mist by the mist spraying unit areexecuted at a predetermined timing corresponding to the order of eachstep of the cleaning operation course.
 7. The automatic hair washingmachine according to claim 6, wherein the jetting unit has a mixing unitfor mixing washing water with any one of shampoo liquid and rinsingliquid to generate the liquid to be jetted from the nozzle link unit,and the cleaning operation courses contain a first cleaning course whosestep order is set so that the mist step is executed before a shampoostep for jetting the liquid containing the shampoo liquid, a secondcleaning course whose step order is set so that the mist step isexecuted after a conditioning step for jetting the liquid containing theconditioner liquid, and a third cleaning course whose step order is setso that the conditioning step and the mist step are executed in parallelto each other.
 8. The automatic hair washing machine according to claim5, wherein the mist spraying unit has a mist generator for generatingmist, and the controller is connected to a mist generator controller forcontrolling the mist generator so that communications can be performedbetween the controller and the mist generator controller, and controlsthe jetting unit and the mist spraying unit in cooperation with the mistgenerator controller so that the liquid jetting of the jetting unit andthe mist spray of the mist spraying unit are executed interlockinglywith each other.
 9. The automatic hair washing machine according toclaim 1, wherein the nozzle link unit is configured to jet the liquidwhile moving along the head portion laid in the sink, and when thenozzle link unit is located at a position where the nozzle link unitjets the liquid to a high position of the head portion laid in the sink,the controller controls the nozzle link unit to concentrically jet theliquid.
 10. The automatic hair washing machine according to claim 1,wherein the controller controls movement of the nozzle link unit andjetting of the liquid from the nozzle link unit so that the liquid isjetted to a place corresponding to a position of the liquid tricklingalong the head portion in conformity with the trickling of the liquidattached to the head portion.
 11. The automatic hair washing machineaccording to claim 9, wherein after the liquid is jetted to the highplace of the head portion laid in the sink, the controller controls themovement of the nozzle link unit and the jetting of the liquid from thenozzle link unit so that the liquid is jetted to a place correspondingto a position of the liquid trickling along the head portion whilecontrolling the nozzle link unit so that the liquid is jetted within apredetermined range in a reciprocating style in conformity with thetrickling of the liquid attached to the head portion.
 12. The automatichair washing machine according to claim 9, wherein after the liquid isjetted to the high place of the head portion laid in the sink, thecontroller controls the jetting pressure of the liquid jetted from thenozzle link unit in conformity with the trickling of the liquid attachedto the head portion along the head portion.
 13. The automatic hairwashing machine according to claim 9, wherein the nozzle link unit isreciprocable between a head top position corresponding to a head topportion of the head portion laid in the sink and a rear head positioncorresponding to a rear head portion, and the controller concentricallyjets the liquid when the nozzle link unit is located at the head topposition.
 14. The automatic hair washing machine according to claim 1,wherein the nozzle link unit comprises a plurality of nozzle links thatjet liquid to different sites of the head portion respectively, and areconnected to a single motor through a power transmission mechanism sothat the plurality of nozzle links are movable in synchronization withone another.
 15. The automatic hair washing machine according to claim1, wherein the nozzle link unit comprises an upper nozzle link that isreciprocable between a head top position corresponding to a head topportion of the head portion laid in the sink and a rear head positioncorresponding to a rear head portion of the head portion, and a lowernozzle link that is reciprocable between a hair position correspondingto a hair hanging from the head portion laid in the sink and a neckposition corresponding to a neck, wherein the lower nozzle link is movedin a direction from the hair position to the neck position insynchronization with movement of the upper nozzle link in a directionfrom the head top position to the rear head position, and the lowernozzle link is moved in a direction from the neck position to the hairposition in synchronization with movement of the upper nozzle link in adirection from the rear head position to the head top position.
 16. Theautomatic hair washing machine according to claim 14, the powertransmission mechanism has a gear rotating according to driving of themotor, wherein the plurality of nozzle links are moved synchronouslywith each other through the gear that is rotated by driving the motor.17. The automatic hair washing machine according to claim 14, whereinthe power transmission mechanism is provided to one side surface of thesink.